AND GENERAL HORTICULTURE. 



Ill 



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annual plant, a native of the East Indies, and 

 was first introduced into England in 1573. In 

 the East the Cucumber has been extensively 

 cultivated from the earliest periods, as well 

 as most of the other species of gourds. When 

 the Israelites complained to Moses in the 

 wilderness, comparing their old Egyptian 

 luxuries with the manna upon which they 

 were fed, they exclaimed : " We remember the 

 fish which we did eat freely, the cucumbers 

 and the melons." Isaiah, in speaking of the 

 desolation of Judea, says : " The daughter 

 of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a 

 lodge in a garden of cucumbers." In Syria 

 and in India immense quantities are eaten by 

 the common people. The probabilities are, 

 however, that their Cucumbers are Melons, 

 though mention is made of the cultivation of 

 both, and late travelers mention large planta- 

 tions over which constant watch is kept, and 

 fires built at night to keep off the wild dogs 

 and wolves. The many varieties under culti- 

 vation are great improvements on the origi- 

 nal species ; but where and when improve- 

 ment commenced we have no record ; and in 

 looting over the field during the last thirty 

 years, it is about as difficult to say when it 

 will stop. Where Cucumbers are I'equired 

 during the winter and spring months they are 

 generally grown in span-roofed houses, ample 

 provision being made for both bottom and 

 superficial heat. They are generally planted 

 in a row on either side of the house, and 

 trained up on trellises under the glass. Where 

 space is limited they may be grown in large 

 pots, and trained up a rafter, top-dressing 

 occasionally with rich soil and supplying 

 liquid or artificial manure. A temperature of 

 about 60° at night is found the most suitable, 

 a higher temperature being apt to draw the 

 plants and make them long jointed. Red 

 Spidei', Thrips and Green Fly are their worst 

 insect enemies, and must be kept down by 

 regular fumigating with tobacco, and careful 

 syringing. The principal sorts grown for 

 forcing are the two English varieties. Tele- 

 graph and Blue Gown, both long-fruited sorts 

 and extremely prolific and long-lived. White 

 Spine is also forced to a considerable extent, 

 a marked preference being accorded it in the 

 New York markets, while the long-fruited 

 sorts are the favorites in Boston and Phila- 

 delphia. 



Cucu'rbita. Gourd. From curhita, a gourd. 

 Nat. Ord. CucurbitacecB. 



This is an extensive genus of trailing 

 annuals, producing what is commonly known 

 as Ornamental Gourds, some of which are 

 exceedingly curious and beautiful. They are 

 of easy culture, requiring the same treatment 

 as the Cucumber. Natives chiefly of hot 

 counti-ies, they abound in India and South 

 America, a few are also found in the north 

 of Euiope, at the Cape of Good Hope and in 

 Australia. 



Cucurbita'ceae A natural order of succulent, 

 climbing plants with tendrils in place of sti- 

 pules, alternate palmately - veined, rough 

 leaves, and staminate and pistillate flowers. 

 They are chiefly natives of hot countries, 

 especially of India and South America ; a few 

 are found in the north of Europe and in North 

 America, and some ai-e also met with at the 

 Cape of Good Hope and in Australia. The 



CUN 



plants of this order generally possess a cer- 

 tain amount of acridity. The pulp of the fruit 

 of Citrullus Colocynthis is the Colocynth of the 

 shops ; this is supposed to be the wild gourd 

 of the Bible. Echalium purgans or agreste 

 (Momordica elaterium) is called Squirting Cu- 

 cumber, on account of the elastic force with 

 which its seeds are scattered. Cucumis salivas 

 is the common Cucumber, C. melo is the Musk- 

 melon, and Citrullus vulgaris is the Water- 

 melon. Cucurbita Pepo, the Gourd, is a 

 scrambling plant, to which belong the Vege- 

 table Marrows, which are edible ; the Orange 

 Gourds, which are bitter; the Egg Gourds, 

 Cz-ooknecks, Turk's Caps, and Warted Gourds. 

 C. maxima is the Pumpkin, and C. Melopepo 

 the Bush Squash. The seeds of Hodgsonia 

 are eaten in India. Lagenaria vulgaris is the 

 Bottle or Dipper Gourd. The fruit of Luffa 

 acutangula is cut up when dry and used as a 

 flesh brush under the name of Towel Gourd. 

 Sechium edule yields an edible fruit called 

 Choco or Chaca. The species of Bryonia are 

 purgative. There are about Seventy known 

 genera and over 400 species. Cucurbita, Cu- 

 cumis, Citrullus, Momordica, Coccinia, Trico- 

 santhes, Luffa, and Bryonia are examples of 

 the order. 



Culm. The straw of Wheat, Rye, etc. ; a kind 

 of hollow stem. 



Cultivator, This is the general name applied 

 to implements for stirring the soil, other than 

 hoes, whether used by hand or by horse- 

 power. There are scores of kinds in use, 

 known under different names. The one we 

 most prefer for use in garden operations for 

 cultivating between rows, is what is known 

 as the Planet, Jr. This is a combined drill, 

 wheel-hoe, cultivator and plow, and is really 

 a most excellent and valuable implement, 

 combining in one, three implements, all 

 nearly as effective as any of them would be 

 separately. It is unquestionably the most 

 popular as it is the most pei'fect machine of 

 its kind made, at present writing. In small 

 gardens, where a horse is seldom used, it is 

 invaluable for working the coarser crops, 

 such as corn, potatoes, cabbage, celery, etc. 



Cultrate, Cultriform. Shaped like a pruning- 

 knife, as in Crassula cultrata. 



Culver's-root, or Culver's Physic. A common 

 name for Veronica Virginica. 



Cumi'num. Altered from quamoun, its Arabic 

 name. A genus of Fennel-like UmbelUferm, of 

 little interest except C. Cyminum, the seeds of 

 which, called Cummin, are sometimes used 

 as Carraways, but the latter are more agree- 

 able and efficacious. 



Cummin. Cuminum Cyminum, 

 Black. The pungent seeds of Nigella saliva. 



Cummi'ngia. Named after Lady Gordon Cum- 

 ming, of Altyre, near Forres, Scotland. 

 Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



A small genus of beautiful little half-hardy 

 bulbs fi-om Chili, which succeed in a light 

 rich soil, and should have the protection of a 

 frame. The flowers ai-e bell-shaped, light 

 blue, and borne in panicles on slender scapes. 

 Propagated by offsets. Introduced in 1823. 



Cundura'ngo. The Condor Vine of New 

 Grenada, a species of Gonolobus, named G. 

 Cundurango, by M. Friana. When first intro- 



