130 



over-expence of the sap into stalk and leaves; 

 which being prevented, they will superannuate, 

 if they stand warm." Miller informs us, that 

 the cuttings of cucumbers, taken off about 

 five or six inches long, from healthy plants 

 in the summer crop, at the end of September 

 or beginning of October, planted in pots of 

 rich mould, plunged into the bark bed and 

 shaded until they have struck, will produce 

 fruit before Christmas. It is also recorded in 

 Miller's Gardener's Dictionary, that Thomas 

 Fowler, gardener to Sir Nathaniel Gould, at 

 Stoke Newington, presented King George 

 the First with a brace of well-grown cucum- 

 bers, on New Year's Day, 1721. The seeds 

 from which they were raised were sown on 

 the 25th of September. 



His late revered Majesty had his table 

 supplied with cucumbers, at all seasons of 

 the year, by Mr. Aiton, under whose care the 

 Royal Gardens of this kingdom have pro- 

 duced, in the highest perfection, nearly all the 

 known fruits of the world. 



Cucumbers are much less used in their na- 

 tural state than formerly, among wealthy fami- 

 lies, but they are in great request for stews and 

 made dishes, and when preserved they are es- 

 teemed one of the most agreeable sweetmeats. 

 As a pickle, girkins have been long admired ; 



