40 ON THE CULTURE OF THE CUCUMBER 



more or less, every night from October to the 

 first or second week in March, as directed in a 

 former part of this work, (see p. 13). 



Setting or impregnating the fruit has been 

 practised by me early in the season ; and I 

 believe it to be necessary, notwithstanding 

 all that has been said against it, till about the 

 1st of March. Some have attributed the 

 irregular swelling of the fruit to this ope- 

 ration ; but this is a mistake, it being want 

 of strength in the plants, or their carrying too 

 many fruit at one time, which occasions the 

 irregularity. In case of seed-fruit, it is abso- 

 lutely necessary that care and attention should 

 be bestowed upon this process, or there will be 

 no seed. With a view to procure seed, I inva- 

 riably raise plants specially for that purpose ; 

 which should be grown as strong as possible, 

 and not allowed to mature fruit till their roots 

 extend to the outside of the frame ; after which 

 they will be able to swell off, and bring to per- 

 fection two fruit each ; taking care that the 



