Gourds 
Least in importance among the cucurbits and indeed, of as little practical value as any well- 
known vegetable, they are nevertheless, one of the oldest known to mankind. The Lagenaria gourd 
is of old world origin for water flasks have been found in Egyptian tombs of the 12th dynasty — 
2200-2400 years B. C. 
They are found in their various uses and varieties in nearly every part of the world. Only a 
few of the better known kinds are listed by seedsmen but in all there must be hundreds of varieties 
in wide diffusion. Our list includes some 100 kinds. The common ones are described herein, but 
many, we have not given detailed space because of their economic lack of importance. Likely no 
other fruit of the entire plant kingdom offers as much variation in shape and color as does the lowly 
gourd. Gourds are of especial interest to children and growing them is one way to encourage an 
interest in plants. They are a hardy, quick growing climber and are therefore useful for covering 
fences and trellises. They can be trained to grow in a number of interesting shapes by the use of 
forms in which to place the young fruits. 
The hard-shell tree gourds are used in tropical latitudes for many purposes as in the olden days. 
We have seen them grown thus in the West Indian Islands and utilized as containers for every day 
use by the colored natives. A number of the long, club-shape kinds are considered edible when 
young and properly prepared, they have much the same flavor as certain squashes. The white blossom, 
hard-shell lagenarias, which include such kinds as Dipper, Sugar Trough, Bottle and Calabash can 
be made into a wide variety of attractive articles, painted and decorated to suit individual taste. Some 
of the work which we have seen includes: baskets, vases, bird houses and feeders, dippers, pipes, 
lamps, birds, animals, musical instruments and dishes. Some outstanding collections exist today by 
those who have followed this hobby. 
The Lagenarias will not cross-pollinate with any of the other Cucurbits. The decorative Turban 
types and colorful ornamentals which belong to the family C. Pepo will likely cross-pollinate with 
some of the pumpkins and squash. These fruits have come into popular use in recent years and de¬ 
mand often exceeds the supply. A common practice; is to preserve the fruits in natural color for deco¬ 
rative purposes, table center-pieces as imitation fruit, etc. It has been said of the gourd: 
Oh! the old-fashioned dipper 
Is sweeter by odds, 
Than a goblet of gold 
To the lips of the Gods. 
— Anonymous. 
The International Gourd Society with headquarters in California has a large and active member¬ 
ship. Their annual harvest festivals and gourd displays attract many thousands of visitors. Their 
publications are exceedingly interesting, free to members and the annual dues are nominal. Further 
information 
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR 
