158 CUCURBIT AC EOUS PLANTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



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CUCURBITACEOUS PLANTS. 



The Cucumber. Egyptian Cucumber. Globe Cucumber. Gourd, or 

 Calabash. The Melon. Muskmelon. Persian Melons. Water- 

 melon. Papanjay, or Sponge Cucumber. Prickly-fruited Gherkin. 

 Pumpkin. Snake Cucumber. Squash. 



THE CUCUMBER. 



Cucumis sativus. 



HE Cucumber is a tender, annual plant, and 

 is a native of the East Indies, or of tropical 

 origin. It has an angular, creeping stem ; 

 large, somewhat heart-shaped, leaves ; and 

 axillary staminate or pistillate flowers. The 

 fruit is cylindrical, generally elongated, often somewhat an- 

 gular, smooth, or with scattering black or white spines ; the 

 flesh is white or greenish-white, and is divided at the centre 

 of the fruit into three parts, in each of which the seeds are 

 produced in great abundance. These seeds are of an ellip- 

 tical or oval form, much flattened, and of a pale yellowish- 

 white color. About twelve hundred are contained in an 

 ounce, and they retain their vitality ten years. 



Soil and Culture. Cucumbers succeed decidedly best in 

 warm, moist, rich, loamy ground. The essentials to their 

 growth are heat and a fair proportion of moisture. They 

 should not be planted or set in the open air until there is a 

 prospect of continued warm and pleasant weather ; as, when 



