The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 32

CALABASH, OR COMMON GOURD.

Bottle Gourd. Cucurbita lagenaria.

The Calabash, or Common Gourd, is a climbing or creeping annual plant, frequently more than twenty feet in height or length. The leaves are large, round, heart-shaped, very soft and velvety to the touch, and emit a peculiar, musky odor, when bruised or roughly handled. The flowers, which are produced on very long stems, are white, and nearly three inches in diameter. They expand towards evening, and remain in perfection only a few hours; as they are generally found drooping and withering on the ensuing morning. The young fruit is hairy, and quite soft and tender; but, when ripe, the surface becomes hard, smooth, and glossy. The seeds are five-eighths of an inch in length, somewhat quadrangular, of a fawn-yellow color, and retain their vitality five years. About three hundred are contained in an ounce.

_Cultivation._--The seeds are planted at the same time and in the same manner as those of the Squash. The Gourd succeeds best when provided with a trellis, or other support, to keep the plant from the ground; as the fruit is best developed in a pendent or hanging position.

_Use._--The fruit, while still young and tender, is sometimes pickled in vinegar, like cuc.u.mbers. At maturity, the flesh is worthless: but the sh.e.l.ls, which are very hard, light, and comparatively strong, are used as subst.i.tutes for baskets; and are also formed into water-dippers, and various other articles both useful and ornamental. The varieties are as follow:--

BOTTLE GOURD. _Vil._

Fruit about a foot in length, contracted at the middle, largest at the blossom-end, but swollen also at the part next the stem.

There is a sub-variety, very much larger; but it is also later.

HERCULES CLUB.

Courge Ma.s.sue d'Hercule. _Vil._

Fruit very long. Specimens are frequently produced measuring upwards of five feet in length. It is smallest towards the stem, and increases gradually in size towards the opposite extremity, which is rounded, and near which, in its largest diameter, it measures from four to five inches. Its form is quite peculiar, and is not unlike that of a ma.s.sive club: whence the name.

It is frequently seen at horticultural and agricultural shows; and, though sometimes exhibited as a "cuc.u.mber," has little or no value as an esculent, and must be considered much more curious than useful. It is of a pea-green color while growing, and the skin is then quite soft and tender; but, like the other varieties, the surface becomes smooth, and the skin very hard and sh.e.l.l-like, at maturity.

POWDER-HORN.

Courge Poire a Poudre. _Vil._

Fruit long and slender, broadest at the base, tapering towards the stem, and often more or less curved. In its general form, it resembles a common horn, as implied by the name. Its usual length is twelve or fourteen inches; and its largest diameter, nearly three inches.

SIPHON GOURD.

Courge Siphon. _Vil._

Fruit rounded, and flattened at the blossom-end; then suddenly contracted to a long, slender neck. The latter often bends or turns suddenly at nearly a right angle; and, in this form, the fruit very much resembles a siphon. Pea-green while young, pale-green when mature. Sh.e.l.l thick and hard.

THE MELON.

Of the Melon, there are two species in general cultivation,--the Musk-melon (_Cuc.u.mis melo_) and the Water-melon (_Cucurbita citrullus_); each, however, including many varieties. Like the Squash, they are tender, annual plants, of tropical origin, and only thrive well in a warm temperature. "The climate of the Middle and Southern States is remarkably favorable for them; indeed, far more so than that of England, France, or any of the temperate portions of Europe. Consequently, melons are raised as field crops by market-gardeners: and, in the month of August, the finest citrons or green-fleshed melons may be seen in the markets of New York and Philadelphia in immense quant.i.ties; so abundant, in most seasons, as frequently to be sold at half a dollar per basket, containing nearly a bushel of fruit. The warm, dry soils of Long Island and New Jersey are peculiarly favorable to the growth of melons; and, even at low prices, the product is so large, that this crop is one of the most profitable."--_Downing._

Through the extraordinary facilities now afforded by railroads and ocean steam-navigation, the markets of all the cities and large towns of the northern portions of the United States, and even of the Canadas, are abundantly supplied within two or three days from the time of gathering: and they are retailed at prices so low, as to allow of almost universal consumption; well-ripened and delicious green-fleshed citron-melons being often sold from six to ten cents each.

_Soil and Cultivation._--Both the Musk and the Water Melon thrive best in a warm, mellow, rich, sandy loam, and in a sheltered exposure. After thoroughly stirring the soil by ploughing or spading, make the hills six or seven feet apart in each direction. Previous to planting, these hills should be prepared as directed for the Squash; making them a foot and a half or two feet in diameter, and twelve or fifteen inches in depth.

Thoroughly incorporate at the bottom of the hill a quant.i.ty of well-digested compost, equal to three-fourths of the earth removed; and then add sufficient fine loam to raise the hill two or three inches above the surrounding level. On the top of the hill thus formed, plant twelve or fifteen seeds; and, when the plants are well up, thin them out from time to time as they progress in size. Finally, when all danger from bugs and other insect depredators is past, leave but two or three of the most stocky and promising plants to a hill. When the growth is too luxuriant, many practise pinching or cutting off the leading shoots; and, when the young fruit sets in too great numbers, a portion should be removed, both for the purpose of increasing the size and of hastening the maturity of those remaining. "Keep the fruit from being injured by lying on the ground; and if slate, blackened shingles, or any dry, dark material, be placed beneath it, by attraction of the sun's rays, the fruit will ripen earlier and better."

The striped bug (_Galereuca vittata_) is the most serious enemy with which the young melon-plants have to contend. Gauze vine-shields, though the most expensive, are unquestionably the most effectual preventive.

Boxes either round or square, twelve or fifteen inches in depth, and entirely uncovered at the top, if placed over the hills, will be found useful in protecting the plants. The flight of the bug being generally nearly parallel with the surface of the ground, very few will find their way within the boxes, if of the depth required. Applications of guano, ashes, dilutions of oil-soap, and plaster of Paris, applied while the plants are wet, will be found of greater or less efficacy in their protection. The pungent smell of guano is said to prevent the depredation of the flea-beetle, which, in many localities, seriously injures the plants early in the season, through its attacks on the seed-leaves.

THE MUSK-MELON.

Cuc.u.mis melo.

Plant running,--varying in length from five to eight feet; leaves large, angular, heart-shaped, and rough on the upper and under surface; flowers yellow, one-petaled, five-pointed, and about an inch in diameter; seeds oval, flat, generally yellow, but sometimes nearly white, about four-tenths of an inch in length, and three-sixteenths of an inch in breadth,--the size, however, varying to a considerable extent in the different varieties. An ounce contains from nine hundred to eleven hundred seeds; and they retain their germinative properties from eight to ten years.

_Varieties._--These are exceedingly numerous, in consequence of the great facility with which the various kinds intermix, or hybridize.

Varieties are, however, much more easily produced than retained: consequently, old names are almost annually discarded from the catalogues of seedsmen and gardeners; and new names, with superior recommendations, offered in their stead. The following list embraces most of the kinds of much prominence or value now cultivated either in Europe or this country:--

BEECHWOOD.

Fruit nearly spherical, but rather longer than broad,--usually five or six inches in diameter; skin greenish-yellow, thickly and regularly netted; flesh green, melting, sugary, and excellent. An early and fine variety.

BLACK-ROCK CANTALOUPE. _Loud._

A large-fruited, late variety; form variable, but generally round, and flattened at the ends; size large,--ten inches in diameter, eight inches deep, and weighing eight or ten pounds. The skin varies in color from grayish-green to deep-green; becomes yellow at maturity, and is thickly spread with k.n.o.bby bunches, or small protuberances. Rind very thick; flesh reddish-orange, melting, and sugary. It requires a long season for its full perfection.

CHRISTIANA.

This variety was originated by the late Capt. Josiah Lovett, of Beverly, Ma.s.s. Form roundish; size rather small,--average specimens measuring nearly the same as the Green Citron; skin yellowish-green; flesh yellow, sweet, juicy, and of good quality. Its early maturity is its princ.i.p.al recommendation; the Green Citron, Nutmeg, and many other varieties, surpa.s.sing it in firmness of flesh, sweetness, and general excellence.

It would probably ripen at the North, or in short seasons, when other sorts generally fail.

CITRON.

Green-fleshed Citron. Green Citron.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Green Citron Melon.]

Fruit nearly round, but flattened slightly at the ends,--deeply and very regularly ribbed; size medium, or rather small,--average specimens measuring about six inches in diameter, and five inches and a half in depth; skin green, and thickly netted,--when fully mature, the green becomes more soft and mellow, or of a yellowish shade; flesh green, quite thick, very juicy, and of the richest and most sugary flavor. It is an abundant bearer, quite hardy, and remarkably uniform in its quality. It is deservedly the most popular as a market sort; and for cultivation for family use, every thing considered, has few superiors.

In common with the Carolina Water-melon, the Green Citron is extensively grown at the South for shipping to the northern portions of the United States; appearing in the markets of New York and Boston three or four weeks in advance of the season of those raised in the same vicinity in the open ground.

EARLY CANTALOUPE.

This variety possesses little merit aside from its very early maturity.

It is a roundish melon, flattened a little at the ends, ribbed, and of comparatively small size; usually measuring about five inches in diameter. Skin yellowish, often spotted with green, and sometimes a little warty; rind quite thick; flesh reddish-orange, sweet, and of good flavor.