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ripe, and may be kept in good condition for several months. They 

 make^also a very good vegetable when used young. As food for 

 cattle, the Pumpkin is also deserving of attention. They are 

 extensively cultivated in some parts of Australia and more especially 

 in New South Wales, where they are often grown with the maize 

 crops. 



Wliat is known as the Squash has its source 111 Cucurbita melopepo 

 which however is considered by some botanists to be merely a variety 

 of 0. Pepo. Fruits differing widely in form and size commonly 

 bear the name of Squash and many would be more correctly classed 

 as Pumpkins. The fruit of several varieties is largely used as a 

 regetable and these kinds are generally cultivated. 



The Vegetable Marrow or Succade Gourd as it is sometimes called, 

 has its source in Cucurbita ovigera which some botanists consider to 

 be merely a form of C. Pepo It is said to have originated in Persia, 

 and was first taken to Europe about seventy years ago. The fruit of 

 the Vegetable Marrow can be utilized as a vegetable in various 

 stages of growth, and when used green is better than that yielded by 

 any other plant of the same family. Though generally used green 

 when partially grown, the ripe fruit also makes an excellent 

 vegetable, and it may be kept for a considerable time. It makes an 

 excellent winter vegetable and should be largely used as such. 

 When the young unripe fruit is used it should be removed from the 

 plants when not more than half grown, leaving none to mature, as 

 when allowed to attain its full size and ripen, the plants will cease to 

 bear freely. 



Cucurbita moschata is the Musky Gourd, a species whose origin is 

 uncertain. This species has very large fruit and is extensively used 

 in Italy and other countries in Southern Europe. The Calabash or 

 Bottle Gourd is Lagenaria vulgaris (Cucurbita lagenaria) an Indian 

 species. The fruit of this species, when ripe, has a hard outer 

 covering or shell, and after the inside pulp is removed it is used as 

 vessels for holding liquid, hence the name Bottle Gourd. There are 

 numerous varieties of this species which differ widely in the shape of 

 their fruits. Luffa cegyptica (Momordica lu/'u) yields the fruit known 

 as the Dish-Cloth or Sponge Gourd. The flesh of this Gourd consists 

 of a porous sponge-like substance which is very soft and pliable. 

 For use in the bath it is preferred to the ordinary sponge by many 

 and also for kitchen use. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



All the species and varieties of Gourds require a rich soil, warmth 

 and moisture to bring them to perfection. They also require strong 

 and rapid growth for their development. All the species are tender 

 and cannot be safely planted in the open ground till all danger from 

 frost has passed. The treatment required in cultivation is, in every 

 respect the same as recommended for the Cucumber. Propagation is 

 also effected in the same way. Some slight difference in practice 

 will, however, be necessary, as regards the distances between the 



