GOURDS AND CUCURBITS. 



453 



Pumpkins and Squashes are grown extensively for winter use, and are 

 stored in the autumn before any serious frost occurs, in dry frost-proof 

 sheds ; the varieties are selected for their good keeping qualities, and they 

 constitute a valuable addition to the winter menu. 



In this country we have not attached much importance to this branch 

 of Gourd culture ; indeed, after the first few days of autumn frost one 

 rarely sees Gourds of any description for use. 



With the newer American and French varieties there is no reason 

 why we should not augment our not too elaborate stock of winter 

 vegetables. The Pumpkins are most excellent in pies with a few apples, 

 or for soups and purees, whilst Squashes and Custard Gourds are delicious 

 in midwinter cooked as ordinary Vegetable Marrows. 



I want, however, rather to advocate the more extended use of Gourds 

 as decorative subjects than to press their claims to culinary consideration. 



For house decoration in winter months ornamental Gourds are useful 

 and durable. In a front hall, for example, a group placed on a salver or 

 large metal dish and artistically arranged is a great acquisition. A group 

 of the miniature varieties, daintily contrasted on a high dessert dish and 

 placed on the sideboard of the dining hall, will form a most charming 

 addition, and will have the merit of lasting a long time in perfect 

 condition. 



For church decoration, too, at harvest festivals they are very accept- 

 able. Such varieties as the red and yellow Turk's Cap, Bishop's Hat, 

 Hercules' Club, the Orange, Apple, and Pear Gourds, and the large hand- 

 some green and ivory white fruits of the Malabar Gourd {Cucurbita 

 ficifolia) are very appropriate, adding variety to the flowers and foliage 

 common to house decoration. 



Gakden Decoration. 



For lending interest to the most picturesque garden, Gourds are 

 unrivalled. A long and wide herbaceous border can be rendered even more 

 attractive by the addition of a few well-selected Gourds of the smaller 

 type, growing on poles at the back of the border. As the summer wanes 

 and the earlier flowers like the Monk's- hood and Aconite and other early 

 flowering species die off and the yellow Composite, become more evident 

 the charming fruits of the Gourd plants will serve to keep up interest in 

 the border and to invest it with an attraction altogether wanting when 

 there are only Dahlias and other tall Composites to keep the border gay. 



Arbours and Screens. 



For covering small arbours and trellis-work, plants of the medium and 

 miniature Gourds are very effective. The Gourd plants can be trained so 

 as to cover the whole structure very quickly, but some little judgment will 

 be needed to ensure a crop of attractive Gourds. 



For this purpose the flowers should be set, that is, pollinated with 

 pollen from other flowers (staminate). 



By this means the Gourds can be obtained where they are most seen. 



One of the best and quickest growing Gourds for this is Cucurbita 

 ficifolia, the Malabar Gourd. Its rate of growing is very rapid, it is a free 



