Presumably they had been spread by Indians after introduction by Spaniards far to the south. Before the American Revolution the eastern tribes of Indians as well as the colonists were growing cucumbers generally. They were grown in Brazil before 1650. Most of the distinct types of cucumber grown today were known at least 400 years ago. The most popular European and American varieties now have smooth, dark-green skin.
Some Russian varieties are short, thick, and have a rough, netted brown skin.
Large white varieties of a thick, irregular shape were grown in France in the 19th century for use in cosmetics. He has only to pollinate the flowers by hand, or put bees into the greenhouse to do the job for him.