To be healthy they should not be picked longer than a day before they
are to be eaten. They should be kept in cold water, and fifteen or
twenty minutes before they are to be eaten, pare and slice them into
fresh cold water, to take out the slimy matter. Just before they are put
on the table, drain off the water. Put them in a deep dish; sprinkle on
a good deal of salt and pepper--cover them with vinegar. Cucumbers are
thought by many people to be very unhealthy, but if properly prepared,
they will not be found to be any more unwholesome than most other summer
vegetables.