GOURDS. 

 ( Cucurbitacece./ 



The water-melon is also called kallnda. It is sown unmunured in sand, 

 four or five seeds being put into one hole. It is only 

 liable to injury from east wind. Each plant should 



bear from eight to fourteen fruit, fetching one pice to one anna, according to 

 size and quality. They are considered cooling and given to allay fever. 



The ground for melons is heavily manured before sowing (use of 

 poudrette for this purpose is now common, near municipalities), and again 

 when the leaves form. The seed is sown in drills after the plough. It is 

 weeded once. The leaves are not allowed to rest on the ground, matting is 

 spread under them, and they are thereby saved from effects of frost ; manure 

 is ao-ain applied when the plants are a foot long. The fruit is much 

 sought after by porcupines and jackals ; insects attack the root, and " lassi '* 

 the leaves. The names of some of the varieties are lira, wiafira, surdhi t 

 &c. The seeds of surdhi are eaten cooked in syrup. 



