Gourds
(Cucurbita). The species and varieties of Gourds are very numerous, and, as they readily cross-hybridise when growing near each other, it is somewhat difficult to keep the sorts distinct without having them isolated. Some have fruits highly coloured and very ornamental, and others produce them of an enormous size. From investigations made by M. Naudin, in France, where Gourds are more largely cultivated than here, the edible varieties have been referred to three species of Cucurbita, namely, C. maxima, C. moschata, and C. Pepo. The first-named includes the varieties with unfurrowed stalks and large broad leaves, such as the Large Yellow and Turk's Cap Gourds. Varieties with slightly-furrowed stalks, much enlarged near the fruit, deeply-lobed leaves, and rough seeds, are referred to the second species. C. Pepo comprises all the varieties with slender, deeply-furrowed stalks and deeply-lobed leaves with rough hairs; these include the Vegetable Marrow, Custard, Crookneck, and Orange Gourds. With the exception of the Vegetable Marrows, Gourds are cultivated in this country more as curiosities than for the value of their fruits for eating. Where the fruits of the very large sorts can be ripened before frost sets in, they may be cut, suspended in a dry, airy place, and kept for several months. The flesh is usually scooped or cut out, after being kept some time, and used in soups and stews, or baked, either alone or with apples, in pies. The fruits may also be cooked as a vegetable when young. All the plants are annuals, and hardy enough to succeed outside, in warm positions, from May until autumn. Many of them are vigorous-growing trailing subjects, that may be utilised--particularly the ornamental ones--for covering bare walls, hedges, unsightly fences, &c. Seeds should be sown in a gentle heat, in April, and the young plants afterwards grown on and hardened before being placed outside, about the end of May. Protection should then be afforded by handlights, until danger of frost is past, and the plants have become established. All the sorts require a rich soil, which should be placed above a large heap of manure; and any quantity of water may be applied to the roots in summer.
Sorts. The following are amongst the best in the sections representing large-fruited kinds and those of an ornamental character. The Apple, Pear, and Lemon Gourds are varieties having fruits more or less resembling those after which they are popularly named. Various ornamental Cucurbitaceae not belonging to the genus Cucurbita, will be found under their proper headings. See also Vegetable Marrow.
Boulogne Grey. Fruit large; rind deep olive-green, towards maturity covered with a fine network of greyish lines; flesh yellow, thick and floury. According to Vilmorin, this was raised only a few years ago, at Boulogne-sur-Seine, but it is now widely grown, and is much esteemed by the market gardeners about Paris.
Chestnut Gourd. Fruit medium or small, depressed; ribs indistinct or altogether absent; rind smooth, deep brick-red; flesh deep yellow, very thick, sugary and floury. An excellent variety, of vigorous habit. SYN. Corfu Gourd.
Crown Gourd, or Custard Marrow. Fruit scolloped at the edge, produced close to the stem. Plant compact; does not run on the ground.
Egg-shaped. Fruit large, with a hard skin, of a reddish colour. A free-bearing, vigorous, trailing variety.
Embroidered Warted. Fruit small, with yellow flesh; skin beautiful yellow, covered with large excrescences. An exceedingly ornamental variety, but rather tender.
Green-striped Bergen. Fruit dark green and white striped, small. Of compact vigorous habit. Much cultivated in America.
Hubbard Squash. Fruit pointed, suddenly narrowed into the stalk; rind deep green, sometimes marbled with brick-red; very hard and thick, flesh deep yellow, very floury, not very sugary, and somewhat dry. In the United States, this is regarded as a variety of excellent quality. It is a good keeper. Habit vigorous.
Large White. Fruit cream-coloured, very large with a smooth rind, more spherical than the large Yellow. A very distinct variety. It is the Potiron blanc gros of the French.
Large Yellow. Flesh deep yellow. Stems very thick, running to a great length along the ground. The fruit is used in a ripe state, and has been grown to a weight exceeding 200lb. SYN. Mammoth Pumpkin. 128. In the United States, a variety with a finer rind, but otherwise much resembling this, is cultivated under the name of Connecticut Field Pumpkin.
Naples Gourd. Fruit large, sometimes 1 1/2ft. long; rind a deep green, turning yellow when thoroughly ripe, smooth; flesh perfumed, orange-yellow, sugary. A very productive variety. SYN. African Gourd.
Nutmeg Gourd of Marseilles. Fruit nearly spherical in shape, flesh very red and highly musk-scented.
Ohio Squash. A fine-flavoured, heavy variety, that keeps well when ripe.
Olive Gourd. Fruit the form and colour of an unripe olive; rind thin, quite smooth; flesh yellow, firm, abundant. A strong grower.
Orange. Fruit resembling an orange in size, form, and colour. Bears abundantly, and is very ornamental.
Patagonian. Fruit large, oblong, sometimes tapering to each end; flesh yellow; skin deep green, frequently ribbed. Keeps well.
Red Etampes. Fruit medium-sized, prominently ribbed; rind bright orange-yellow. Habit of plant like the Large Yellow, but foliage paler in colour. This variety is one of the most popular amongst the growers who supply the Paris markets.
Spanish. Fruit green, flat, of medium size, firm, and of good flavour. Summer Crookneck. Fruit bright yellow, small, with warty excrescences on the surface. Plant compact, does not run.
Turk's Cap. Fruit pale green, flat, with rounded margin; centre elevated, of a deep green, marbled white and yellow; medium-sized, firm flesh. An ornamental variety. SYN. Turban Pumpkin.
Valparaiso. Fruit oblong, citron-shaped, sometimes 1 1/2ft. long by 1ft. in diameter in its widest part; flesh orange-yellow, sugary; rind greyish-white, covered with a fine network when ripe. A strong grower, stems attaining a length of 4yds. or 6yds.
Winter Crookneck. Fruit pale yellow, solid, with long neck. A runner variety, and an abundant bearer. Much grown in America.
Yokohama Gourd. Fruit flattened, generally twice as broad as long, irregularly ribbed, very dark, almost black, green. (Cucurbita melonaeformis, R. H. 1880, 137, 431.)