Other Vegetables 295 



which taste something like cantaloupes, and are four to six 

 inches long. It will stand a little frost and sprouts up next 

 year from the root. The fruit, which is a product of culti- 

 vation in Peru, will grow well in subtropical countries, 

 and on tropical mountains, and is said to ship well. The 

 plant itself bears a remote resemblance to the eggplant. 

 The bush is not as sturdy a grower, or as hardy in the 

 northern regions. It has fruited as far north as New 

 Jersey but produces only a very small crop. In the tropics 

 it needs special care. It should be given the same atten- 

 tion as eggplant in the preparation of the soil and culti- 

 vation. Owing to the fact that seed is not produced, 

 there is some difficulty in getting a start with pepino. 

 Cuttings root readily in a moist loam but should be pro- 

 tected from the sun. Make the cuttings in the summer. 



WAX GOURD (Benincasa cerifera) 



The wax gourd or China preserving melon is grown in 

 China and in many subtropical and tropical countries. 

 Its fruits are about a foot long, with small seeds, and are 

 cooked like a summer squash, or preserved in sirup. This 

 plant may be cultivated like a muskmelon or allowed to 

 grow up a trellis. In India the seed is sown in the rainy 

 season. The fruit matures in about four months. It is 

 well worth growing in a tropical garden for making pre- 

 serves or sweet pickles. 



