GOURD CULTURE 
Interesting gourd-vine growing in the garden—Gourds oi unusual 
contour and rare beauty as indoor and veranda decoration—The 
most fascinating of hobbies! 
GOURD SEED SHOULD BE PLANTED 
WITH FALL HARVEST IN MIND 
HARD SHELLS (Lagenaria vulgaris) Vines luxuriant with fragrant, 
night-blooming white flowers, producing a bountiful yield of large, 
green fruit; raised for horticultural curiosity, or material, when dry, 
for craftswork such as birdhouses, megaphones, toys. 
SMALL ORNAMENTALS (Cucurbita Pepo var, ovifera) Vines, 
climbing,—with day-blooming yellow flowers, much sought after for 
their gaily-colored and odd-sliaped fruit. 
The varieties of both species are usually named to indicate the 
shape of the fruit, as Hercules club, dipper, pear, egg. Within these 
species of gourds are a great many varieties—the crosses, give the 
enormous range of size, shape, color and design in the gourd-fruit— 
known by the name of HYBRIDS. One reason why gourd-gardening 
is far from monotonous. 
There are other Cucurbits which are not true gourds, hut whose 
fruitage, because of pleasing color and curious shape, are often listed 
as gourds, such as Cucurbita maxima. Examples: Turk’s turban and 
Turk’s cap, with their note of Chinese red and curious formation. 
CULTURE NOTES 
After danger of frost is over, plant gourd seed in open ground, 
depth twice length of seed. 5 or 6 in a hill—the latter 3 to 4 feet 
apart. (Seeds may be started much earlier under paper protectors) 
Gourds are lovers of heat and light. Full sunshine if possible; pre¬ 
ferably rich soil, deeply dug and fertilized—if acid, lime may he 
added. Thin seedlings to three sturdiest plants. May he planted be¬ 
side fence, trellis, arbor, or may be trained to form flower-bed on 
ground. Growing-time 3 to 5^2 months according to species and cli¬ 
mate. HARD-SHELLS may he left to “weather” all winter until shells 
are dry for craftswork. SMALL ORNAMENTALS should he har¬ 
vested before frost. Rind should be bright in color and hard; stem 
brown, and left attached when picked. Handle very carefully, clean 
and store in dry airy place. Floor-wax, rubbed on helps preserve 
color. 
