§8 



CUCUMBER. 



generally be both weaker, and so deficient in fertile rvL- 

 ners, that they would sometimes extend two or three feet 

 without showing fruit. When plants, which have been 

 once stopped, have extended the first runners to three joints 

 without showing fruit, they are to be again stopped for the 

 r OJrpose of strengthening the plant, and disposing it for 

 Dearing. As fertile runners extend, train them out regular-j 

 iy along the surface, fastening them down neatly with pegs.' 



Upright training, — Cucumber plants being climbers by 

 means of their tendrils, some branchy sticks being placed 

 to any advancing runners, they will ascend, and produce 

 fruit at a distance from the ground, of a clean growth, free 

 from spots and well flavoured. "Mr. J. W. of Philadel- 

 phia informed Dr. Mease, that he enriched the ground near 

 the trunk of a peach tree, and sowed some cucumber seed, 

 which came up very abundantly. He pulled -up all the 

 plants but one, and permitted the vine to run up the tree. 

 It bore 150 cucumbers. The numerous creepers with which 

 the cucumber abounds, and the result of this experim^ent^ 

 would seem to point out the climbing nature of the plant, 

 and the great advantage arising from permitting it to attach 

 itself to a frame or tree^ instead of confining it to the 

 ground." — Dom. Encyc. 



Setting the fruit. — " The cucumber," Abercrombie ob- 

 serves, " bears male and female blossoms distinctly on the 

 same plant. The latter only produce the fruit, which ap- 

 pears first in miniature, close under the base, even before 

 tlie flower expands. There is never any in the males ; but 

 these are placed in the vicinity of the females, and are ab- 

 solutely necessary, by the dispersion of their farina, to im- 

 pregnate the female blossom ; the fruit of which will not 

 otherwise swell to its full size, and the seeds will be abor- 

 tive. The early plants under glass, not having the full cur- 

 ~ rent of the natural air, nor the assistance of bees and other 

 winged insects to convey the farina, the artificial aid of the 

 cultivator is necessary to effect the impregnation. At the 

 time of fructification, watch the plants daily; and as soon 

 as a female flower and some male blossoms are fully 

 expanded, proceed to set the fruit the same day, or next 

 morning at furthest. Take off a male blossom, detaching 

 it with part of the footstalk. Hold this between the fingei 

 and thumb ; pull away the flower-leaf close to the stamens 

 and anthera or central part, which apply close to the stigma 

 or bosom of the female flower, twirling it a little about, to 

 iiischarge thereon some particles of the fertilizing powder 



