44 



MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



aud it is questionable, in view of tlie facts here considered, whether 

 the development would not have been as complete in the absence 

 of the irritation. 



The fact that in growing English forcing cucumbers for market, 

 gardeners never practice artificial pollination, as is necessary 

 with the varieties commonh' grown in this country, raised the 

 question as to whether any pollen is required, and what propor- 

 tion of the fruits would develop without fertilization. Several 

 different varieties have been under consideration at different times. 

 In case of the '^Telegraph," a long slender variety, more than 

 twenty blossoms before expanding were covered with paper bags 

 — thus preventing all possibility of the access uf pollen. Out of 

 this number but two developed fruits. These were typical in form 

 and of average size — being about sixteen inches long and two and 

 one-half inches in diameter. They contained a large number of 

 partially developed ovules — some of them 3-8 inch long — extend- 

 ing nearly the whole length of the fruit. There were no perfect 

 seeds, however, as shown by Figure 5. 



Of ten blossoms of the variety 

 known as "Sion House," covered 

 as above, one developed fruit. 

 Later many other blossoms were 

 covered and some fruits were 

 developed, but the percentage was 

 about the same as before. The 

 fruits, as with the "Telegraph," 

 were straight aud smooth and con- 

 tained an abundance of partially 

 developed ovules along the whole 

 length of the fruit ; but there were 

 no perfect seeds. Other fruits of 

 both varieties, left to natural con- 

 ditions, were examined and as a 

 rule were found to contain no per- 

 fect seeds. Indeed, this absence 

 of seeds is a matter of common 

 observation, aud is urged as a 

 point of excellence in favor of the 

 English varieties. In one instance 

 two or three apparently good seeds 



Fig. 5. Telegraph, Seedless. 



