SfcCT. XIV. OF RAISING CUCUMBERS. 16.7 



Thus very particular directions have been given, bat 

 fliil much will depend upon circumjlances, and dif- 

 cretion inuft direct. Let it be remembered, no negicB 

 will be borne with. It any imprudent perfon ihouki 

 lift the lights high, to pry into the bed in improper 

 weather, perhaps an early tender crop might at once 

 receive their death blow, though expofed but a very 

 fhort time. Succefs in railing cucumbers and melons 

 ihlcfij depends upon keeping the bed in due temper ; the 

 plants being neither burned nor chilled. 



Setting the fruit is the practice or moil good gar- 

 deners, as generally in luring the emhryos from going 

 off, as they are apt to do at an early feafon ; whcu 

 not much wind can be differed to enter the bed, and no 

 bees or infefts are about, to convey the farina from tbe 

 male flowers to the female. The male flowers have 

 been ignorantly called falje blofjoms, and fo have been 

 regularly pulled off (as faid) to ftrengthen the plants, 

 but they are effential to impregnate the female flowers ; 

 i. e. thofe that Ihew the young fruit at their bafe: This 

 impregnation, called fetting the fruit, is artificially done 

 thas : — 



As foon as any female flowers are fully open, gather 

 a newly opened male flower, and Jtripping the leaf gently 

 off from the middle, take nicely hold of the bottom, and 

 twirling the top of the male (reverfed) over the center 

 of the female flower, the fine fertilizing duff from the 

 male part will fall off, and adhere to the female part, 

 and fecundate it, cauflng tire fruit to keep its colour, 

 fwell, and proceed fa ft towards perfection. This bufu 

 nefs of fetting the fruit may be practifed through the 

 months of February, March, and April, but afterwards 

 it will not be neceffary ; for the admifiion of fo much 

 air as may afterwards be given, will difperfe the farina 

 effectually; but if the weather ftitj is bad, or remark- 

 ably calm, fetting may be continued a little longer. If 

 fhort of male flowers, one of them may ferve to im- 

 pregnate two females. Pull off all the male flowers as 



faff 



