G 1 2 Queries mid A^isiuers. 



large at the end, and by no means long like the other fruit in the same 

 light. I immediately thought they had been impregnated uith the Maltese 

 melon growing in the same frame, and marked one of them for seed. I 

 made choice of one that was largest at the eiul, and iiad most of tiic appear- 

 ance of the melon: this was, I think, either in 182+ or 18-i,5. As I never 

 sow new cucumber or melon seed, if I can help it, the seeds of the hybrid 

 were put by with the other seeds of thecucurbitaceous tribe. In the spring 

 of 18'^8, the pot containing the seeds of the hybrid came in its turn with 

 the others that were sown for the hand-light ridge, and two pots were put 

 out for a two-light frame. Not one of tiie fruits or the leaves partook of the 

 cucumber in length or in smell (when ripe), but very much so in flavour ; 

 consequently, no one that tasted them liked them : and as I found them as 

 much trouble as a frame of melons, and much inclined to sport, I did not 

 trouble myself to grow any more. I cut up many of the fruits, but not one 

 seed did I find that was likely to grow ; and this, most likely, was also the 

 case with those that I sent (three) to the Horticultural ."society of Lon- 

 don, as Mr. Sabine wrote to me to send him a few seeds. Two of the 

 fruit I sent to Lady Craven, Hamstead Lodge, near New bury ; and 1 be- 

 lieve there was no seed in them also. Should, however, J. C. K. like to 

 try some of the old seed of the first cross, I think I can find a few, to 

 which he shall be welcome ; but I think it not unlikely that they are too 

 old to grow. In exchange, I shall be thankful for a seed or two of the 

 Regent and Wellington melon, if J. C. K. has them to spare. 



1 have to inform J, C. K. that mine was not the first cross of the cucum- 

 ber and melon I had seen ; for, some years back, I think near thirty, 

 calling on J. Harrison, Esq., at Brompton, while I was with him, a gar- 

 dener of his acquaintance called on him with a very handsome fruit (a 

 cross) for his inspection ; and I well remember it was very much like the 

 one I first saved for seed, 



I have my doubts of the hybrid fruit of any sort ever producing seeds 

 that will grow. The cross with the pink and sweetwilliam will not seed; 

 but the sweetwilliam will sport with the pink in colours, and bring a single 

 flower that will seed like itself, but will not sport again, so far as lean find. 

 In the bird family, I have tried, for three years, to ettect a cross with the 

 Muscovy drake and the English duck. Their produce was very fine ami good, 

 but the eggs of the nudes never brought a bird, either under ducks or hens ; 

 and although one sat well for seven weeks, it was all to no puri)ose. The 

 mules resulting from crossing the horse and the ass do not breed, I've. &c. 

 I am. Sir, yours, &c. — J. U/ivcr, CM. U.S. Comhc, Fch. 21. 1832. 



In Vol. VII. p. 090., some facts are recorded which tend to establish a 

 conclusion that hybrid plants are more hardy than the kinds out of which 

 they originated; and J. C. K., at p. 52. of tlie current volume, assents to 

 the truth of this opinion in application to hybrid melons ; but imputes it 

 rather to greater vigour infused into the embryo of the first liyl)rid than a3 

 a constitutional characteristic, which will become hereditary through the 

 successive generations of the hybriil, should the hybrid persist through 

 successive generations (see j). o2. ). — J. J). 



liais'nifr Ciiniuihrrs hi/ Steaw. — Whose is the best plan, so as to supply 

 the table through the winter V And w hat is the cost of the apparatus V — 

 A. X. Fvh. 9. 1832. 



We are not aware w hose plan is the best : but sufficiently good apparatus 

 have been erected by Neeve, C'ottam, Walker, and others mentioned in 

 this Magazine, who will tell the cost on application. — Cond. 



rortsnionlli liroccol'i. — Is the su|)eriority of this variety attributable to 

 the soil and situation in the neighi)ourhood of Portsmouth ? It certainly 

 is not owing to any thing very distinct in the sort ; for I have grown 

 broccoli several times, both from plants and seeds sent from Portsmouth, 



