Cucumber
(Cucumis sativus). The Cucumber is believed to be a native of warm countries in Asia, and also of Egypt, where it has been extensively grown from a very early period. Fig. 557 represents a lateral growth, showing flowers of both sexes. Its cultivation is a matter of importance in almost every garden, and there are very few of any pretensions where it is not attempted, either in houses, frames, or in the open air, in summer. Cucumbers are also extensively grown for market purposes, and, as a rule, prove very remunerative. To cultivate them successfully, plenty of light, heat, and moisture, are required. Those who grow for supplying the market, invariably use span-roofed houses having large panes of glass, and probably no better could be chosen. Such houses cannot, however, be obtained in the majority of gardens; consequently, those situations should be selected which are most favourable to the above-named necessary conditions.