CUCUMBER. 91 



infusion of elder leaves ; that of hops and of walnut leaves 

 is likewise recommended ; or, suspend a diamond-formed 

 piece of white paper, shingle, or other piece of wood, by a 

 thread, tied to the end of a stick stuck in the ground at a 

 small distance from the hill, so that the paper shall hang 

 directly over the hill and near the plants. The air, by 

 constantly vibrating the paper or shingle, will have a ten- 

 dency to prevent insects from alighting on the plants. The 

 surest way, however, is to enclose the hills with frames 

 covered with gauze, or other cloth "of a light texture. The 

 following method of making sieves, or boxes, to protect 

 cucumber vines, melon vines, &c. against the yellow bug, 

 &c. was communicated to the editor of the N. E. Fanner 

 by Mr. Levi Bartlett, of Warner, N. H. and published in 

 that paper, vol. ii. p. 305. 



"Take a strip of pine board (about three fourths of an 

 inch in thickness is most suitable) eight or ten feet in 

 length, and four or five inches in width : plough one edge 

 of it with a carpenter's plough or match plain then mark 

 off an equal number of side and end pieces ; before sawing 

 the siHe pieces, run a brad-awl through where you want to 

 drive your nails, as it is not so likely to split, as after it is 

 sawed. The side pieces eleven inches long ends eight 

 inches long. They must be of this particular size, because 

 one yard of millinet will just cover nine boxes ; or a third 

 of a yard will make three covers. After having nailed 

 your boxes, and divided your millinet, have some thin strips 

 or tongues, as the carpenters call them. * Press these with 

 the edges of the covers into the groove, which fastens them 

 much cheaper and more expeditiously than small nails. I 

 made about twenty last season, and they effectually 

 secured them from the yellow bug, and (by sinking the 

 edges of them in the earth a little) from worms. But if 

 they were of no use but to guard against insects, they would 

 be worth having, as they keep off the cold winds, and great- 

 ly promote the growth of the vines in the early part of the 

 season." 



To save seed. " Select some best summer fruit from 

 good, productive plants, which permit to continue in full 

 growth till they become yellow. Then cut them from the 

 vine, and place them upright on end, in the full sun, for 

 two or three weeks'; when they may be cut open, and the 

 seed washed out from the pulp ; spread it to^dry and har- 

 den ; then put it up in papers or bags for future sowing. 

 It will remain good for many years ; and seed of three or 



