6J2 Queries and Answers. 



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

 light. I immediately thought they had been impregnated with 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 end, and had most of the appear- 

 ance of the melon : this was, I think, either in 1824 or 1825. 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 the cucurbitaceous tribe. In the spring 

 of 1828, 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 the 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 Newbury ; and I 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. 



I 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 I can find. 

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

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

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

 and although one sat well for seven weeks, it was all to no purpose.- The 

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

 I am, Sir, yours, &c. — J. Oliver, C.M.H.S. Combe, Feb. 27. 1832. 



In Vol. VII. p. 696., 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 the 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 hybrid than as 

 a constitutional characteristic, which will become hereditary through the 

 successive generations of the hybrid, should the hybrid persist through 

 successive generations (see p. 52. ). — J. D. 



Raising Cucumbers by Steam. — Whose is the best plan, so as to supply 

 the table through the winter ? And what is the cost of the apparatus ? — 

 A.X. Feb. 9. 1832. 



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

 have been erected by Neeve, Cottam, Walker, and others mentioned in 

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



Portsmouth Broccoli. — Is the superiority of this- variety attributable to 

 the soil and situation in the neighbourhood 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, 



