40 THE FORCING GARDENER* [fi. *. 



and thofe which are impregnated will 

 fwell, and be fit to cut much fooner. The 

 method of performing it is this : Choofe a 

 flrong healthy-looking male flower ; pinch 

 it off with the (talk; diveft it of the co- 

 rolla or flower-leaves, carefully retaining 

 the ftamens and anthers :, taking it between 

 the finger and thumb, apply the anthers to 

 the bofom of the female flower, which is 

 diftinguifliable by the newly-formed fruit ; 

 and give the ftalk a fharp twirl, whereby 

 the farina of the male will be rubbed off^ 

 and depofited on the fligma, the female or- 

 gan of fructification. 



If no accident hath happened the plants, 

 they will have made good progrefs before 

 the bed has, in any great degree, loft its 

 heat > and indeed, generally a few of the 

 firft fet fruit are cut by that time * $ which, 

 fuppofing the bed was built about the mid- 

 dle of February, ajid the plants were plant- 

 ed about the 23d or 24th, mould be fit for 



cutting 



* This depends much on the kind of Cucumber 

 fown j and, as the kinds are now fo nurtferous, and al- 

 ftioil every gardener having his particular favourite, it 

 might be deemed premmptuous in me to fay which 

 ought to be preferred, efpecially as many known kinds 

 have an equal .title. 



