[Editor: This article, being a report of some successful and unusual gardening results in Launceston (Tasmania), is an extract from the “Country post” section published in The Hobart Town Courier (Hobart Town, Tas.), 1 November 1828.]
Country post.
Launceston, October 27.
I have been lately much interested in observing the progress of vegetation in the growth of some cucumbers, grown by Mr. Davidson in Mr. Williatt’s garden here, which shews what may be done by an experienced person with care and attention.
The seed was sown on the 12th September, the first blossom appeared on the 12th October, the cucumber was cut on the 26th of the same month, measuring 12 in. in length. The second blossom came out on the 17th October, and the cucumber was cut this day, measuring 11 inches in length. Mr. Davidson intended to send both these to Hobart town, but on examining the first he found it to be too old to carry so far without being injured, he has therefore only sent the last. There will be several more ready to cut in two or three days.
The growth of these seems to me almost so incredible that I would not have reported it to you had I not observed its progress myself.
Mr. Davidson has also within a very short time raised in the same garden, a number of delicate plants, such as the sensitive plant, cock’s combs, balsams, &c. The rock melons are as large as walnuts already.
Source:
The Hobart Town Courier (Hobart Town, Tas.), 1 November 1828, p. 2
Also published in:
Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (Sydney, NSW), 24 November 1828, p. 3
Editor’s notes:
&c. = an alternative form of “etc.”: an abbreviation of “et cetera” (also spelt “etcetera”), a Latin term (“et” meaning “and”, “cetera” meaning “the rest”) which is translated as “and the rest (of such things)”, used in English to mean “and other similar things”, “other unspecified things of the same class”, “and so forth”
in. = an abbreviation of “inch” or “inches”; an inch is a unit of length in the British imperial system of measurement (an inch is equal to 2.54 centimetres)
shew = an archaic spelling of “show”
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
Leave a Reply