THE SOUTH AFRICAN PIPE CALABASH. 9 



CONCLUSIONS. 



The calabasli pipes now imported in considerable quantities from 

 Eng;land and Germany are made from the fruit of the Soutii African 

 pipe gourd, a variety of Lagenaria vulgaris. Seeds of this variety 

 have been introduced from South Africa, and the plant has been found 

 to thrive in all parts of the United States. The vine grows luxu- 

 riantly and is of considerable value as an ornamental. 



Light and attractive pipes can be made from the fruits of this 

 gourd by anyone at a nominal cost. These homemade pipes possess 

 great individuality and are in no way inferior in smoldng qualities to 

 the expensive imported pipes which are now so much in fashion. 



The gourds are produced in great abundance, but the prices paid 

 for the necks by manufacturers are very low and the demand is 

 limited. The raising of the gourds on a large scale in the expectation 

 of a commercial demand is, therefore, not advisable. 



Approved: 



James Wilsox, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, Septemher 11, 1909. 



ICir. 41] 



o 



