ncrease it;
afterwards attending to it according to the state of the weather.

In order to produce fine fruit in the early part of the season, that is
in February and March; let only one grow on a plant at a time. Keep the
male blossoms rubbed off when young, to prevent their weakening the
plants; the best method of doing which is with a small pointed stick.

As soon as the plants begin to show fruit, leave a few male blossoms to
set the fruit with. If this be not attended to in the early part of the
season[5] the fruit will not swell off, as it is the female blossom
alone that bears it, and if these be not impregnated with the male they
will prove unfruitful. The female flower may easily be distinguished
from the male, by the appearance of the fruit at the bottom of the
blossom which the other does not possess.

When the female flower is in full bloom, take a male blossom which is in
full bloom also, and hold it in one hand, with the other split it down,
and tear off the flowers, being careful at the same time not to injure
the male part; then hold the male blossom between the forefinger and
thumb of the right hand, while the female flower is held between the
middle and forefinger of the left hand; then put the male blossom in the
centre of the female, and the farina will adhere to it, and have the
desired effect; should it, however, happen to fall out after it is done,
it is of no consequence whatever, as the impregnation is received the
instant it is put in.

The proper time to set the fruit is in the morning, as it always comes
in bloom at night, and if left until the afternoon the blossom of the
fruit closes a little, in consequence of which it is doubtful whether
fruition will be effected.

In order to ascertain whether the male blossom is good; after you have
prepared it as above described for use, draw the farina, or genitals,
across the thumb-nail, and if good, it will leave a glutinous substance
resembling gum.

As soon as the fruit becomes the size of your finger let no more than
one be upon a plant at a time to swell off, and when beginning to grow
crooked give the stalk end a twist, place them on their backs, put a peg
to the side, and the heat of the bed will soon draw them down and make
them straight.

A cucumber is a plant that requires much water, particularly when
bearing fruit: it will be necessary then to give from one to two gallons
each time according to the heat of the bed, and temperature