384 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN BOTANY 



the fruit off the ground, thus securing more rapid ripening and 

 larger and better-colored fruit. The best method of training 

 is to support a single stem by a stake, but this is troublesome 

 when many plants are grown. The same general results may 

 be secured by allowing the plants to grow over an inclined 

 rack or trellis. 



90. The gourd family. This is a notable family (Cucur- 

 bitacea?) for containing numerous useful forms, whose fruits 

 are used either as fruits or vegetables, but usage has included 

 them all among vegetables. One genus furnishes the cucum- 

 ber and muskmelon ; another the watermelon ; and a third 

 the pumpkin and squash. They are all tendril-bearing 

 herbs, with large, more or less lobed leaves, and rather large 

 axillary flowers, which are usually yellow. The flowers are 

 of two kinds, one (staminate) bearing the three stamens, the 

 other (pistillate) bearing the pistil. In pumpkin, squash, and 

 watermelon, both kinds of flowers are solitary in the axils ; 

 while in cucumber and muskmelon the staminate flowers are 

 in clusters. 



All of these forms thrive best in good soil, such as is suitable 

 for corn and wheat ; they are all sensitive to frost ; and the 

 seeds of all are planted in " hills." This method of planting 

 is distinct from " drills " or rows, meaning the dropping of 

 four to six (or more) seeds in a single pocket of soil, the 

 groups of seeds being four to six feet (or even eight to ten feet) 

 apart each way. It is also very customary to put some well- 

 rotted manure in each hill, thus forcing the young plants into 

 vigorous and continuous growth. 



Cucumber. The cucumber is a native of southern Asia, 

 and has therefore been long in cultivation. It is grown both 

 as a field crop and a garden crop, and seeds can be sown in the 

 open as soon as danger of frost has passed, and the crop 

 develops during the warm months. 



Muskmelon. This plant is a native of the warmer parts of 

 Asia. This means that it is a tender plant, and an early 



