THE SQUASH. 211 



When ripe, the fruit is from fifteen to eighteen inches in 

 length, and about six inches in diameter. It is of a pale 

 yellow, striped with green, and should be used in the young, 

 green state ; when mature, it is less esteemed than many 

 other sorts. The plants bear abundantly, and, as they do 

 not run, may be grown in smaller compass than the true 

 Vegetable Marrow. 



This is the largest-fruited variety known. In Mammoth. 



[MOTH PUMP 



LARGE YEL 

 GOURD, OF 



. , MAMMOTH PUMP- 



a very rich compost, and under favorable con- KIN. LARGE YEL- 



LOW GOURD. OF 



ditions of climate, it grows to an enormous size. 



CUCCRBITA MAX- 



Fruit weighing a hundred and twenty pounds IMA - 



is not uncommon ; and instances, though exceptional, are re- 

 corded of weights ranging from two hundred to nearly two 

 hundred and fifty pounds. 



The leaves are large, and the stems thick, running along 

 the ground to the distance of twenty or thirty feet, if not 

 stopped, and readily striking root at the joints. 



The fruit is round, or oblate ; sometimes flattened on the 

 under side, owing to its great weight ; sometimes obtusely 

 ribbed, yellowish, or pale buff, and frequently covered to a 

 considerable extent with a gray netting. Flesh deep yel- 

 low ; seeds white. 



It is used only in its full-grown or ripe state, in which it 

 will keep for several months, and even during the winter, if 

 stored in a dry, warm situation. The flesh is sweet, though 

 generally coarse-grained and watery. It is used in soups and 

 stews, and also for pies ; but is seldom served like squash at 

 the table. 



Plant running ; leaves small, smooth, striped Neapolitan, 

 and marked with white along the nerves ; fruit nearly two 

 feet in length, and rather more than five inches in its smallest 

 diameter, bent at the middle, and broadly but faintly ribbed, 



