The Cucumber.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1982, 21 March 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Cucumber.

Among the numerous surpiises which the progress of analytical science has sprung upon our modern cuisne is the announcement that the cucumber, nearly always partaken of with a certain inward misgiving as to consequence*, is a digestible, wholesome food ; and that, well grown and properly prepaied, it may be unhesitatingly received on a familiar footing. This ia something to say ; for prejudice has parleyed with the cucumber in the character of a possible enemy for more than 3000 years. «' Even with the memory of John Evelyn it was accounted in England as little better than poison, and perhaps no other fruit ever succeeded in inspiring the same amount of mingled esteem and dread. Among ourselves the latter feeling has till quite lately predominated ; and most persons are familar with the old-fashioned advice to " pare your cucumber carefully and after well peppering it, cast it forthwith out of the window into the kennel." So common was the feeling thus expressed that Gay made it the subject of a simile in a stanza of the " Beggar's Opera : " When Polly drest with caro and cost, All tempting, fine and gay, As men should servo ft cucuinbei , She Hung herself ft\\»y.