The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-04-15
WHOLE NO. 1924.
From the Fall Riuer Monitor.
CULTURE OF THE CUCUMBER.


bers cultivated in New England, viz: Early
Green Cluster, Early Frame, Long Green
Turkey, Long White Turkey, Long Prickly,
White Spined, Short PR ckly, and small
Gerkin or West India. All these will grow
in any soil, but not with the same vigor.
In the culture of all give proper supplies Of
water in dry warm weather, and they must
have sufficiency of heat, light, water and
air. Abercrombie recommends the long
prickly kinds for early summer crops.
The ground being dug and smoothed,
line it into squares of six feet; in the centre
of each dig hole about IA inches Deep
NIL this with rotted dung, and SOW on it five
or six cucumber seeds; cover them with
feo1,' seIect TWO to each Hill and draw o1t
the remainder. The soun.. ui"w OUT
safely made here until the first Of May; for
! the fall and picking crops, you must sow
about the middle of July.
| Abercrombie recommends, land my own
experience has fully satisfied me on this
point) to stop the runners rs soon as the
plant has made two rough leaves, as the
bud that produces the runner is disclosed
at the base of the second rough leaf, it may
be cut off or picked OUT or if the runner
has already started, it may be pinched off
close. This is called stopping at the first
joint, and is necessary, to promote strong
er stocky growth, and an emission of fruit
full laterals,-and from these the prolific
runners will he successfully produced.
The vines, without this process of stopping,
would generally he both weaker and so de-
ficent in fertile runners, that they would
sometimes extend two or three feet without
showing fruit.
To increase By layers. AS soon as sever
al flower buds appear on plant, bend the
second or third Joint of branch below the
/ blossom and fasten it firmly in the ground,
and cut off the capillery point of the plant.
! 1t speedily takes root, and must be separated
from the parent stock, as each root has only
to supply few fruits with nourishment. 1t
saves room, labor and time,-and affords
constant supply for the whole season, and
does not degenerate like seeding.
Insects. The fly, which is often very de-
structive to cucumbers, melons, &C., may be
killed by sprinkling mixture of tobacco
and red pepper over the vines. Also, an
infusion of elder and walnut leaves are
I highly recommended. But among all the
methods, think Mr.. Bartiett's plan, of
n. H. will succeed best. Take strip of
pine board, (about ! of an inch in thick
ness is most sutabie) 8 or 10 feet in length
and four or five inches in width, plough one
edge of it with carpenters plough or
match plane, then mark off an equal number
of side and end pieces; before Saving the
side pieces run brad awl through where
you want to drive your nails, as it is not
so likely to split, as after it is sawed. The
side pieces II inches long, end do. 8 inches.
They must he of this particular size, be-
cause one yard of millinett will just cover
nine boxes, or third of yard will make
three covers. After having nailed your
boxes and divided your mllinett, have some
strips or tongues, us the carpenters call
then1,-press these with the edges of the
covers into the grooves, that fasten them,
which is much cheaper and more expedi-
tiously than small nails. These will effect
ually secure your cucumbers from the yell
low bug, and is probably the cheapest rem
edy. The whole expense of box does not
exceed eight or nine cents. But if they
were of no use to guard against insects,
they would be worth having, as they keep
off the cold winds and greatly promote the
growth of the vines in the early part Of
the season. They, also, by being settled
little in the earth prevent worms.
j COMPASSION. Voltaire IN his history of
the Gar Peter, gives us the following an
ecdote of the Czarina: "The Unity Of this
princess" says he, has been carried to a
degree unparalleled in the history of any
nation. She had promised that during her
reign nobody should be put to death and
she has kept her word. She is the first
sovereign that ever showed this regard to
the human species. Malefactors are now
) condemned to serve in the mines and other
public works-a regulation not less prudent
| than humane since it renders their punish
, ment of some advantage to the state. In
other countries, they only know how to put
malefactor to death with the apparatus Of
an executioner, but are not able to prevent
| the execution of crimes. The terror of
death does not, perhaps, make such impress
sion on evil doors, who are generally given
to idleness, as the fear of cbastisement and
, hard labor renewed every day.
: AS there was something very extraordi-
; nary in the advancement of this princess,
, the reader will not he dspleased with a re-
| lation of the steps by which she ascended
; the throne. She was born in village call
. ed Nungen, on the banks of the Worthsey,
, in Livonia, and, losing her parents, who
were OF low condition, she became destitute
: Of support The parish clerk, y no kept
school, took her into his house till DIR. Gluck,
, minister of Marlenburg, happening to come
to that village, eased the clerk of his bur
! den, Ivy taking her into his family. The
, doctor, pleased with her behavior, treated
her almost in the same manner as if she
I had been his own daughter; and not only
5 had her taught spinning and sewing, but
: instructed her himself in literature above
4 the knowledge of her sex. Al length
Lvonia sergeant in the Swedish army fell
passionately III love with her, and she
agreed, with consent Of the doctor, TO mar
ny him. The next day the Russians made
, themselves master Of Marienburg; and the
/ General casting his ewes accidentally on