166 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[Mai/. 



GOURDS AND PUMPKINS. 



Those sown on a hot-bed last month will be fit by the latter 

 end of this month to be planted out. They may be planted to 

 hide any old fence or wall, or on the ground by the sides of 

 the walks. There are many curious sorts, some of the smaller 

 of which may be introduced into the flower-garden, and trained 

 to an upright pole or trellis. 



Gourds are cultivated in the village-gardens of some parts 

 of England for culinary purposes. The inhabitants grow them 

 on dunghills, and train the shoots to a great length. When 

 the fruit is ripe, they cut a hole in one side, and having taken 

 out the seeds, fill the vacuum with sliced apples, adding a little 

 sugar and spice, and then having baked the whole, eat it with 

 butter. This is the melon of the gardeners of former times, 

 the true melon being known to them by the name of the 

 musk-melon. Gourds are much used on the continent in 

 soups, and also stewed and fried in oil and butter. 



VEGETABLE MARROW. 



Vegetable marrow is a species of gourd, the deader of the 

 Persians. It is propagated in the same manner as the other 

 gourds, and about the end of this month may be planted out 

 on a slight hot-bed, and covered with a hand-glass; or the 

 seeds may be sown, where the plants are to remain ; place a 

 hand-glass over them, and they will come up, when all danger 

 of frost is over. Accordingly as the runners extend, peg them 

 down, they will strike root, which will greatly strengthen the 

 plants. Give plenty of water in dry weather. It is useful 

 for culinary purposes in every stage of its growth. 



SALADS. 



Continue to sow and transplant all sorts of lettuces, to admit 

 of a succession. Give plenty of water, both to the newly sown 

 and also to the transplanted ones. Tie up to blanch the forward 

 crops of lettuces, choosing a dry day for that purpose ; a few 

 only should be tied up at once ; this, however, must be regulated 

 by the quantity required. 



