THE VEGETABLE-FRUITS 107 



the retention of moisture ; a heap of leaves or decaying weeds 

 and vegetable matter may also be pressed into service. Marrows 

 should, I consider, be trained to climb by a gradual ascent, 

 accomplished by means of wire-netting stretched over a frame 

 and tilted against the wall, or fence, or bank ; upon a faggot of 

 wood, a low shed, etc. 



Marrow seeds are of an easy-germinating character. They 

 should be sown singly in three-inch pots, which may be either 

 placed in a warm greenhouse with a sheet of glass upon them, 

 or in a propagator. After the seeds have germinated, place 

 the pots near the glass to promote strong, sturdy growth, and 

 repot into larger-sized pots as required. To form a bed for a 

 Marrow, a hole about two and a half feet square and one and a 

 half feet deep should be excavated in the ground in a sunny 

 position and one foot of manure and leaves mixed together in 

 equal parts be placed in the bottom. On top of this about 

 twelve inches of rich soil should be placed. After the plants 

 have been gradually hardened off, one should be planted in 

 the centre of each bed and be protected with a handlight or 

 bell-glass until thoroughly established. Marrows require abun- 

 dance of moisture at the roots, whilst frequent applications of 

 weak manure are of great assistance during the fruiting season. 

 The fruit should be cut when they have reached a fair size, 

 because if left to grow as large as possible the plants quickly 

 become exhausted. Moreover, the younger fruits are the 

 tenderest. Seeds may also be sown outdoors in April where 

 the plants are to remain ; whilst as late as June, seeds of the 

 small-fruiting kinds may be sown under glass with good results 

 ensuing therefrom. 



Pen-y-byd is a fine variety for late work. The larger sorts 

 include white, green, yellow, cream, and striped varieties ; 

 whilst the smaller Marrows are well represented by the Custard 

 varieties, Bush or Cluster, and Come and Cut Again. 



THE PUMPKIN AND SQUASH. The Pumpkin, or Gourd, 

 is not appreciated in this country, if one may judge by the 

 extent to which it is cultivated ; and the fact points out a 

 decided loss. The Pumpkin is an economical vegetable-fruit, 

 and may be used for a variety of purposes. Its large size and 

 bulk of flesh proclaims it a valuable food subject, and it would 

 prove an asset in the domestic economy of any household which 

 learned to appreciate its flavour and worth. Indeed, the latter 

 remark is the key to the question of general use. Very few 



