MISCELLANEOUS CHOPS. 117 



method is to make a sowing in August to provide a 

 spring supply. 



Vegetable Marrow. 



Botanical Name : Cucurbita Pepo onifera. 

 Natural Order : CucurbitacecB. 



The vegetable marrow is a native of Persia, and it 

 has long been cultivated in the East. The time of 

 its introduction into this country is unknown with 

 certainty. 



Culture. The plant will thrive in any free, rich 

 soil if supplied with plenty of moisture at the roots. 

 Sow the seeds singly in small pots early in April. 

 It is a good plan to soak the seed in water for a few 

 hours before sowing. Use a sandy compost, and 

 after the seedlings appear keep them well watered. 

 When the pots are nearly full of roots shift the plants 

 into a larger size, potting them fairly firm in a rich 

 compost. Grow them on in a moderate temperature 

 and near the glass, to induce close- jointed, sturdy 

 growth. Harden the plants off, and plant out about 

 the end of May or first week in June. 



Marrows may be planted in the open ground or on 

 the top of a compost heap. In either case a fairly 

 large hole should be made and filled to within a few 

 inches of the top with decayed manure and soil 

 mixed. Place 6 inches of plain soil above this, in 

 which to insert the plants. A few hours before 

 planting soak these prepared sites with water, and 

 also the plants in the pots ; plant firmly, being care- 

 ful not to break the roots ; cover the moist soil with 

 a thin layer of dry material to prevent evaporation, 



