PUMPKINS 



329 



below the commencement of the divisions ; the part between the 



stalk and the contractions usually has five prominent ribs, and 



the segments of the calyx are narrowed from the base to the 



extremity. The seed varies very much in appearance, but is always 



winged or margined, 



and is seldom as large 



as that of the varieties 



of Cucurbit a maxima. 



The seed of the Custard 



and Fancy Gourds is 



much smaller. The 



germinating power of 



the seed of all kinds 



of Gourds, except the 



Large Tours Pumpkin, 



lasts for six years or 



more. 



Vegetable Marrow. 

 A plant with long, 

 slender, running stems. 

 Leaves of medium size, 

 deeply cut into five 

 lobes, which are often 

 undulated or toothed 

 at the edges, of a dark 

 green colour, sometimes Vegetable Marrow, 



variegated with gray 



spots, and very rough to the touch ; fruit oblong in shape, 10 to 

 1 6 in. long, and 4 or 5 in. in diameter, with five or ten ribs more 

 or less well marked, but most prominent on the part next the 

 stalk ; skin smooth, of a dull yellow or yellowish white colour. 

 The fruit is generally eaten when it is less than half grown, as 

 the flesh is then very tender ; when ripe, it is rather dry. 



CULTURE. The Marrow will 

 grow anywhere if supplied with 

 plenty of manure and moisture at 

 the root. For early Marrows the 

 seed should be sown in pots and 

 placed in a gentle heat any time in 

 April ; when they have made two 

 pairs of rough leaves they may be 

 hardened off ready for planting early 

 in June. Hand-lights should be 

 placed over them for a few days 

 after planting, until they become 

 established. It is a bad practice 



to keep the lights on too long, 

 inasmuch as the plants do not grow 

 any faster and they are liable to 

 mildew the latter disease being the 

 only drawback to growing Marrows 

 in pits or frames. Some gardeners 

 sow earlier and plant earlier, but 

 there is seldom anything gained by 

 it unless in exceptionally favourable 

 seasons. Marrows are generally 

 planted on old refuse-heaps, or old 

 manure beds, which places are well 

 suited to their growth. We have 



