CUCUMBERS 



249 



on widely separated parts of the plant. The staminate or nonfruit- 

 bearing flower, shown in figure 91, is the first to appear and usually 

 grows near the base of the plant. The pistillate blossom with the 

 embryo cucumbers at its base, shown in figure 92, appears later 

 and is borne near the extremity of the newly forming and rapidly 



FIG. 91. Flowers of the cucumber 

 A, A, staminate ; #, pistillate 



growing shoots or on short lateral branches. Since these flowers 

 are normally produced in this way, it is necessary that a transfer 

 of pollen be made from the staminate to the pistillate flowers 

 through the agency of insects or by other artificial means. 



Under greenhouse conditions, and at the time of year that the 

 cucumber is forced, it is necessary to provide for pollination. In 

 small establishments this work can be done by hand. The staminate 



