256 VEGETABLES OR FOOD CROPS 



10 to 16 in. long, are eaten as a salad vegetable in Japan, where 

 the plant is said to be extensively cultivated for the purpose 

 of supplying these. It is stated that the cultivation of this 

 plant forms an important feature of market-gardening in Japan. 



Vegetable Marrow. (Clicurbilo pepo. N. O. Cucurbitaceae). 

 This agreeable vegetable is commonly grown, and with much 

 success, in the hill districts, but is unsuited to elevations below 

 4,000 ft. The plant grows rapidly and trails over the surface 

 of the ground, producing its large gourd-like oblong fruits, which 

 are most palatable if cooked before they have attained full 

 size. The seed may be sown singly in a pot, the stronger 

 seedlings being afterwards retained and, when a few inches 

 high, transplanted to well-prepared mounds or small hillocks 

 not less than 6 feet apart each way. These mounds should have 

 good drainage, and consist of well manured soil. The plant 

 is monoecious, i.e., the sexes are in separate flowers on the same 

 plant ; the female flowers must therefore be fertilised either 

 by insects or by hand, with the pollen of the male flowers, 

 otherwise fruit will not set. The female flowers can at once 

 be distinguished by their large and round base (the ovary), 

 and also by their having no pollen. 



