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Gherkins

Gherkins are young cucumbers, and are only used for pickling. They should be gathered on a dry day, and those in one bottle should be, as nearly as possible, uniform in size. They are not really good for much in flavour until they are about three and a half inches long, and three-quarters of an inch in diameter. They may be had in July and August, and the best time for pickling them is about the end of August, or the beginning of September. Like other pickles, their excellence depends, in a great measure, on their being kept covered with vinegar. A mixture of French beans and gherkins makes a nice pickle.