Vegetable Marrows. 365 



soil moist, but be careful not to over-water. In the first week 

 of May remove the plants to a cold frame to harden off. 



At the first opportunity after the third week of May, when 

 the weather is mild and the ground dry, the plants may be set 

 out in their permanent positions over the fermenting manure. 

 Water the plants well the day before and set them a yard 

 apart, turning each out of the pot without breaking the ball of 

 soil. Bring about lin. of new soil over that from the pot, then 

 press the soil gently but firmly round. ' Each plant should be 

 protected at night for a week or more, according to the weather ; 

 this* may be done by covering them with hand-lights, cloches, 

 paper cones, or baskets. 



The after treatment consists in keeping the ground free from 

 weeds and the surface soil stirred for a yard round the plants 

 in order to conserve the soil moisture. When the plants begin 

 to run and have extended about 18in., it is a good plan to pinch 

 out the end of each leader to cause them to branch. Plenty of 

 moisture is necessary to enable them to bear continuously; in 

 fact, if the plants' requirements in this respect are attended to 

 they will continue to bear until cut down by frost, but if allowed 

 to become dry they soon become spent. A mulch of long 

 manure spread round the plants before they have extended far 

 is very useful in keeping the soil moist. 



The Marrows should be cut as soon as they are fit for sale 

 from half to three-parts grown. This matter should be strictly 

 attended to, as it means doubling or trebling the crop com- 

 pared with what it would be if the plants were allowed to 

 become exhausted by producing seed in fruits which have 

 developed to their full size. 



Varieties : The varieties of Vegetable Marrows grown in 

 market gardens are practically limited to two The Bush and 

 the Trailing Marrow, and these are again each divided into 

 two the Green and the White. The Bush Marrow is favoured 

 by many because the plant, although a prolific bearer, is com- 

 pact, and does not occupy nearly so much space as the Trailer 

 for the same amount of crop. Where a high-class trade is 

 done the Pen-y-Byd is a very valuable variety ; this is an 

 abundant bearer of small, oval-shaped, cream-coloured fruits, 

 of first-class flavour. 



