166 CUCURBITACEOUS PLANTS. 



teen inches in length. Form long and slender, contracted 

 towards the stem in the form of a neck, and swollen towards 

 the opposite extremity ; seeds few, and usually produced 

 nearest the blossom-end. The neck is generally solid. 

 While the fruit is young, the skin is deep green ; afterwards 

 it changes to clear yellow, and finally assumes a rusty yel- 

 low or yellowish-brown. Flesh remarkably firm and crisp ; 

 exceeding, in these respects, that of any other variety. 

 Very productive and excellent. 



Its remarkably firm and crispy flesh, and the absence of 

 seeds, render it serviceable for the table after it has reached 

 a very considerable size. For the same reasons it may be 

 pickled at a stage of its growth when other more seedy and 

 pulpy sorts would be comparatively worthless. 



Short Prickly. This variety somewhat resembles the Long 



SHORT GREEN 



P 8HORT 'cm*** Prickly ; but it is shorter, and proportionally 

 thicker. Its length, when suitable for use, is 

 about four inches. Skin prickly, green, changing to yellow 

 at maturity ; flesh transparent greenish-white, rather seedy, 

 but tender, crisp, and fine flavored. 



The variety is hardy and productive, comes early into 

 fruit, and is one of the best for pickling. It is a few days 

 later than the Early Cluster. 



Underwood's This is an improved variety of the common 

 Short Prick- J 



ly. Short Prickly, and is the best of all the sorts 



for extensive cultivation for pickling. The plant is hardy 

 and productive. The fruit, when young, is very symmetrical, 

 and of a fine deep green color. Its flesh is characterized by 

 extraordinary crispness and solidity. When more advanced 

 the color becomes paler, and the flesh more soft and seedy. 

 The fruit, at maturity, is yellow. 



