This section is from the book "The Gardener V2", by William Thomson. Also available from Amazon: The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener.
The Editor gave us such good practical hints as to the cultivation of the Cucumber last year, that I can only add - be guided by him, and you are almost sure to meet with success.
I have no doubt there are many who, like myself, have to send their garden produce to London once a-week while the family are in town. I consider it injurious to the plant to allow the fruit to remain on it after they are ready for use, and it would soon be too old; therefore I always cut when ready, and lay them in common drain-pipes 2 feet long, or in a chimney-pot. These are buried in a heap of earth, a piece of slate being stuck at each end to keep out the soil; and when required, they are as fresh as if just cut. I have often kept them this way a fortnight.
Last October and November, I had some buried in dry earth, where the rain could not reach them, three weeks, and they were then fresh and good. I have tried various other plans to keep them, but have found none to answer like this one. W. Nokes.
 
Continue to: