VEGETABLE MARROW 139 



for any stopping or training, but now and then a stout peg may be 

 placed to keep some strong vine in order. But the necessity for 

 moisture must not be overlooked, for if the ground becomes 'dry 

 the plants will suffer ; but with moisture enough they will continue 

 growing and bearing until the frost destroys them. The Marrows 

 should be cut when quite young, for not only are they more useful 

 on the table when small and tender, but the plants will bear five 

 times as many as when a few are permitted to attain their full size. 

 The explanation of the case is very simple. The production of the 

 young fruits does not in any appreciable degree exhaust the plants ; 

 but when the fruits are allowed to develop, the production of a 

 succession is pretty well brought to a stop. And as seedy Marrows 

 are objectionable for the table, it is clearly an injustice to the plants 

 to allow fruits to become seedy when it is intended to cut them for 

 household purposes. Marrows are sometimes grown in abundance, 

 and of the finest quality, on a different plan from that generally adopted. 

 About a foot depth of earth is thrown out in a long line four 

 feet wide. Into the shallow four-feet trench one or two feet depth of 

 good rotten manure is placed, and the earth taken out is returned 

 upon it. The plants are put in immediately, and protected with 

 hand-glasses, frames, or even baskets if the weather is unkind, but 

 they are expected to ' rough it ' if the weather is favourable. Sheets 

 of oiled paper, raised by a small flower-pot in the centre, and with 

 stones laid on the corners to prevent their being blown away, make a 

 capital temporary protection for the young plants. They may be 

 allowed to grow from under the papers and harden themselves. In 

 due time collect the papers and store for use in the following year. 

 The bed becomes moderately warm immediately, and the warmth 

 lasts long enough for the plants to root freely and start into vigorous 

 growth. Thenceforward nothing is done ; the plants grow as they 

 like, and produce an extravagant quantity of fruit. The most delicately 

 flavoured Marrows, as a rule, are the smallest, and these should be 

 cooked whole, and be carefully pressed before serving, and be served 

 whole if possible, or at most only cut into halves, and of course there 

 is no occasion to remove the seeds. 



