English Telegraph Cucumber Seeds Heirloom Vegetable. English Telegraph (also known as the ‘English Cucumber’) has been around since at least 1885 and produces a straight, slim slicing cucumber. The fruit averages 35 cm (14″) long and has a very mild flavour. Fruit that develops on vines laying on the ground often curl so for your best chance at straight fruit, train vines to grow on a trellis or netting. Continuously pick the fruit to encourage further flower and fruit production.