460 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



Cucurbits. On the other hand, the gardeners of the Riviera and our 

 cousins across the Atlantic attach great importance to the Cucurbitacca. 



In America, Gourds of all descriptions are commonly grown, whilst the 

 cultivation of Water-Melons is immense and constitutes a very large 

 trade between the Southern and the Northern cities. Squashes and Pump- 

 kins, too, are highly esteemed and largely used in American cookery. 



Another and increasing addition to the useful Cucurbits is the 

 Chayote, the fruit of the Sechium edule. These are imported from the 

 'West Indies, and have been seen this season in Covent Garden. 



The Department of Agriculture, U.S.A. (Div. of Botany), has quite 

 recently issued a list of sorts bearing varietal names similar to our 

 Vegetable Marrows. 



The importance of Gourds to the peasantry of the Riviera, too, can be 

 estimated by visitors to that sunny clime. 



Not only do the Cucurbits furnish us with useful fruits and some 

 drugs, but they contribute, or should do, a number of plants that certainly 

 add interest and, to some degree, beauty to our gardens. They require 

 but little culture beyond that bestowed upon ordinary tender annuals, 

 and what little attention they do require is certainly well repaid by the 

 added charm they give to any garden, great or small. 



In conclusion I should like to point out two or three rare or new 

 Cucurbits that are very desirable. 



A most brilliant Gourd is Coccinia Dinteii, having large, long, oval, 

 scarlet fruits, and deeply lobed leaves. It is figured in the " Revue 

 Horticole," 1900, p. 268, from plants grown in Sir T. Hanbury's gardens 

 at La Mortola. 



Another most attractive Gourd figured in the same Journal ("Rev. 

 Hort." 1804, p. 108) is Siccma atropurpurca, with Vegetable Marrow- 

 shaped fruits of the deepest maroon colour. 



Two Cucurbits having really beautiful flowers are Hodgsonia hetero- 

 clita (syn. macrocarpa) and Tclfairia pedata. 



The former (Hodgsonia) is a native of Sikkim, found at an altitude of 

 5,500 feet, and from the figure in the "Flore des Serres," xii. p. 153, is 

 a singularly beautiful flower. 



Telfairia pedata, known also as Fevillea pedata, is a native of 

 Zanzibar, has large purple-coloured flowers with fimbria*, and is not 

 unlike some of the larger Stapelias. 



Selection of Varieties foe Growing. 

 On Poles or to cover Rustic Fencing and Trellis-work, 



White Egg, Apple, Orange, Lemon, Ostrich Egg, White, Green, 

 Warted, and Bicolor Pear, Striped Onion, Golden Bell ; varieties of 

 Cucurbita Pepo. 



Miniature Bottle Gourd and Warted Bottle Gourd ; varieties of 



Lagenaria vulgaris. 



For Arbours and covering Bustic Summer-houses. 



Red, Green, White and striped Turk's Cap, Melopepo and Stradella ; 

 Malabar Gourd (C. ficifolia), Mush Gourd (C. moschata) 



