BIRD HOUSES AND NATATORIUMS 241 



best results. Plant out in a warm, sunny position 

 when the nights and soil are warm — ^not before. They 

 must have sufficient support from the start so that 

 there will be no setback to their growth and when a 

 sufficient number of fertile flowers have set, the 

 ends of the vines may be shortened in order to throw 

 the strength of the vine into the ripening of the 

 ftuit. Some seasons it is impossible to get a single 

 ripe gourd even on strong, rampant vines, while more 

 favorable seasons will give an abundance of fruit, 

 but in the warmer sections of the country they should 

 be as easily raised as squashes. They should have 

 sufficient water at all times and good rich mellow 

 soil. They are very fascinating things to raise, be- 

 cause there are so many kinds and such curious forms, 

 and as when dried they are practicably indestructible, 

 one good crop should furnish bird supplies for several 

 yeara. 



