252 



Pumpkins. — ^gricnUnre, 



Vol. II. 



of old Scrapewell's mare. This fact, to- 

 gether with that of the abundant yield and 

 cheap method of raising ruta baga, is worth 

 thousands to the community. We have before 

 recommended to farmers to raise roots for their 

 stock instead of grain; they are usually 

 worth as much as the grain that can be raised 

 on six or ten times the quantity of ground, 

 and they will keep stock in a better condi- 

 tion than grain. In this way the same 

 amount of food, and better food, can be ob- 

 tained, and yet the most of the land usually 

 devoted to raising grain for stock can be put 

 to other useful purposes. 



Citron Puiiupkin. 



This most excellent and delicious article, 

 known in this region as the Valparaiso 

 Squash, was introduced into this country by 

 Commodore Porter, on his return from the 

 Pacific ocean after the late war. The Com- 

 modore gave a few of the seed to the late 

 Lieutenant Gamble, then at the navy-yard 

 in this city, who cultivated them successfully; 

 but owing to some cause, perhaps, a preju- 

 dice existing against the squash, the name 

 by which this article was introduced, or a 

 c-ombination of causes, it was not duly ap- 

 preciated, and consequently not extensively 

 cultivated. Some years since Lieutenant 

 Gamble, was transferred to the navy yard 

 New York, at which place he continued the 

 cultivation, and it gradually spread over Long 

 Island and along the banks of the Hudson. 

 A gentleman of this city, Mr. Thomas L. 

 Plowman, being on a visit two or three win- 

 ters since at the city of Albany, had his at- 

 tention arrested by one of the pumpkins be- 

 ing exposed at the bar of the hotel at which 

 he put up. On enquiry, he learned that it 

 was the article that had been served up at 

 the dinner table tor several previous days, 

 and which was highly esteemed by all who 

 had partaken of it. He procured one of the 

 innkeeper, brought it to this city, and the 

 following spring, distributed the seed among 

 his friends. All who paid attention to {he 

 cultivation of this most delicious vegetable 

 production have been abundantly remunerat- 

 ed. We have conversed with several per- 

 sons who were acquainted with it in South 

 America, who bear testimony to its very su- 

 perior qualities. From all thatwe can learn 

 it is known in different sections under dif- 

 ferent names. That, at the head of this ar- 

 ticle, is, we presume, the most appropriate. 

 It most probably obtained the name of Val- 

 paraiso in consequence of being brought in 

 the first place by Commodore Porter, from 

 the city of that name. 



We are informed that in some parts of 

 Massachusetts, and in the wheat growing 



districts of New York, it has almost entirely 

 superseded the common pumpkin. It pos- 

 sesses all the good qualities of the pumpkin 

 and squash, is neither watery or stringy, 

 makes a most delicious pie, far superior to 

 that made of the former, and goes much far- 

 ther. It is also served up at table with meat, 

 in the same manner as tlie squash, and if not 

 superior, it is certainly equal to the best of 

 the species. For all culinary purposes it is a 

 most superior article, and as it contains a 

 vast proportion of saccharine matter, we are 

 persuaded that it would be highly beneficial 

 to cattle, especially milch cows. Another 

 great and very decided advantage is that 

 the Citron pumpkin, sometimes erroneously 

 called the Valparaiso squash, may be readily 

 preserved throughout the whole winter, pro- 

 vided they are kept free from the influence of 

 frost. 



The seed may be planted at the usual timf 

 of planting tiie pumpkin in the spring. Wr. 

 Wm. p. Jenny, of New Bedford, in a letter 

 to a gentleman in this city on the subject, 

 says, "Ihey require a rich moist soil; I 

 planted in beds six feet a cross ; they re- 

 quire considerable room, as they are great 

 runners as well as great bearers. I have seen 

 the ground literally covered with them. 

 With us they frequently grow to the weight 

 of 30 to 40 pounds, and I have no doubt that 

 in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, being 

 farther south, they would with proper atten- 

 tion in the culture reach the weight of 70 to 

 80 lbs. They are in deservedly high repute 

 with us. They ought not to be planted near 

 any other vegetable of the same tribe." They 

 resemble in shape, a mellon, have no neck, 

 are easily cultivated and in great demand, 

 all brought to this market during the lastfall 

 being immediately bought up. We hope, 

 inasmuch as many of the seeds have been 

 distributed among our farmers during the 

 last fall, that our market will through the 

 coming season be abundantly supplied. 

 Some in this vicinity the last year weighed 

 over 40 lbs. 



From the Wilmington Joumal. 



Agriculture. 



Delaware and New Jersey. — We men- 

 tioned in our paper of last week that the ag- 

 ricultural society of this country had, through 

 its president, Philip Reybold, Esq. received 

 an invitation from several prominent and en- 

 terprising gentlemen of Salem county, New 

 Jersey, to pay an agricultural visit to the 

 marl pits and lime stone quarries of that re- 

 gion, and also to see in the adjoining county 

 of Gloucester, the celebrated Durham stock 

 of Mr. Edward Tonkins. The compliment 

 was properly appreciated by the society and 



