70 KITCHEN- GARDENING. 



two shoots, each of which let run till they have made one or 

 two clear joints, and then stop them also; and afterwards 

 continue throughout the season to stop them at every joint; 

 this will strengthen the plants, and promote their perfecting 

 the fruit early. 



The following artificial operation is recommended by Aber- 

 crombie, Phial, and other writers, as essential to the production 

 of a full crop of Cucumbers under glass. In plants more free- 

 ly exposed to the open air, the impregnation is effected -by 

 nature. Those which some call false blossoms are the male 

 flowers, and are indispensable in this operation. 



" The Cucumber," Abercrombie observes, " bears male and 

 female blossoms distinctly on the same plant. The latter only 

 produce the fruit, which appears first in miniature, close under 

 the base, even before the flower expands. There is never any 

 in the males ; but these are placed in the vicinity of the fe- 

 males, and are absolutely necessary, by the dispersion of their 

 farina, to impregnate the female blossom, the fruit of which 

 will not otherwise swell to its full size, and the seed will be 

 abortive. The early plants under glass, not having the full 

 current of natural air, nor the assistance of bees and other 

 winged insects to convey the farina, the artificial aid of the 

 cultivator is necessary to effect the impregnation. At the time 

 of fructification watch the plants daily ; and as soon as the 

 female flowers and some male blossoms are fully expanded, 

 proceed to set the fruit the same day, or next morning at 

 furthest. Take off a male blossom, detaching it with part of 

 the footstalk. Hold this between the finger and thumb ; pull 

 away the flower-leaves or petals close to the stamens or cen- 

 tral part, which apply close to the pistil in the bosom of the 

 female flower, twirling it a little about, to discharge thereon 

 some particles of the fertilizing powder. Proceed thus to set 

 every fruit, as the flowers of both sorts open, while of a lively, 

 full expansion ; and generally perform it in the early part of 

 the day, using a fresh male, if possible, for every impregnation, 

 as the males are usually more abundant than the female bios- 



