AND GUIDE TO THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



95 



PRIZE CxOURDS 



OF 



THE GREAT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF GOURDS, 



IIFJ,!) IN THE 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL GARDENS, SOUTH KENSINGTON, 



On the 8tli 9th, 10th, to the 18th October, 1862, when 



The ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY awarded Prizes to the amount ot 

 £30. for Ornamental and Edible G-onrds and Marrows ; 



OF THAT SI M, 



ABOUT ONE-THIRD WAS AWARDED TO THE FOLLOWING COLLECTION. 



To state that the Seeds have been saved in Italy, is the hest guarantee ive can offer 



for their superiority. 



CUCUMIS AND CUCURBITA, Nat. Ord. Cucurhitacew, 



The following is the most Picturesque, Curious, Interesting, Beautiful, and Varied Collection of 



ORXAMEMAL AIVD EDIBLE GOURDS AND CUCUMBERS 



Ever offered to the British public. Airanged and classified by our " Sardinian CoRREsroNDENT." 



Sketches of a few of the r^ost curious were given in the <' Illustrated London News," 



October, 1862. 



In addition, we have had 100 varieties sketched by an Eminent Artist ; these may be seen at our 



Establishment, 



IN OUR ALBUM OF ORNAMENTAL FRUIT. 



Oh! greenly and fair in the lands of tlie sun, 

 The Vines of the Gourd and the rich Melon ntn ; 

 And the rock and the tree and the cottage enloi 1, 

 "With broad leaves all greenness and blossoms all gold." 



The' species and varieties in this collection have been selected either for the highly ornamental 

 character of their foliage, the singularity or exquisite symmetry of their fruit, or for the richness, 

 variety, and peculiarity of their colouring ; some are perfect monsters in size and oddity of shape, 

 while others are miniatures of most elegant formation. The colours range from white to crimson, 

 orange and scarlet, blending and harmonizing with olive-green, bronze and the most beautiful bright 

 polished glossy green ; these again are striped, spotted, dappled, or variegated in the most cxtraurdi- 

 dinary manner, others being self-coloured, are distinct and beautiful. The style of growth is as 

 diversified as the size of the fruit ; some are of the most gigantic structure, others are slender and 

 delicate, and these are invaluable for covering verandahs, trellis-work, or fronts of villas and cottages ; 

 whei'e trained round the windows they nre exceedingly ornamental, while in autumn their rich and 

 party-coloured fruit is remarkably picturesque. The strong growers are invaluable for training to 

 trees over summer retreats and arbours, or trailing on rockeries and rooteries, sloping banks, by the 

 margins of woodland walks, amidst ruins, &c. The fruit when dried make splendid hall and drawing- 

 ' room ornaments. To have them in the highest perfection, sow in heat in March or April, so as to 

 have good strong plants to put out about the end of May. For culture, see article on Tomato, 

 Ridge Cucumber, or Gomxl, in Guide to the Kitchen Garden. 



The following, numbering upwards of 300 varieties, obtained, at the *' Great International 

 Gourd Show" at the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens in October last, three of the 

 PRINCIPAL Prizes : viz., — 1st Prize for " the finest collection of Gourds, eatable when ripe." 

 1st Prize for " the six finest Ornamental Gourds, whether eatable or not." And one of Dr. Lindley's 

 Prizes tor " the heaviest single specimen." Also, at the Great Birmingham Show, Dec. 1st, 1862, 

 they were awarded the 1st Prize for the finest collection, where Gourds from all parts of Europe 

 were shown. These only embrace a portion of the immense collection in the possession of our 

 '* Sardinian Correspondent," which is, we believe, the most extensive one known. 



[Those varieties with a (*) are mcst suitable for Eating, for Soups, and Preserves.] 



