Other Vegetables 295 



which taste something like cantaloupes, and are four to six 

 inches long. It will stand a little frost and sprouts up next 

 year from the root. The fruit, which is a product of culti- 

 vation in Peru, will grow well in subtropical coimtries, 

 and on tropical mountains, and is said to ship well. The 

 plant itself bears a remote resemblance to the eggplant. 

 The bush is not as sturdy a grower, or as hardy in the 

 northern regions. It has fruited as far north as New 

 Jersey but produces only a very small crop. In the tropics 

 it needs special care. It should be given the same atten- 

 tion as eggplant in the preparation of the soil and culti- 

 vation. Owing to the fact that seed is not produced, 

 there is some difficulty in getting a start with pepino. 

 Cuttings root readily in a moist loam but should be pro- 

 tected from the sun. Make the cuttings in the summer. 



WAX GOTJKD {Benincasa cerifera) 



The wax goiu:d or China preserving melon is grown in 

 China and in many subtropical and tropical countries. 

 Its fruits are about a foot long, with small seeds, and are 

 cooked like a siunmer squash, or preserved in sirup. This 

 plant may be cultivated like a muskmelon or allowed to 

 grow up a trellis. In India the seed is sown in the rainy 

 season. The fruit matures in about four months. It is 

 well worth growing in a tropical garden for making pre- 

 serves or sweet pickles. 



