French German

Citrouille ou Potiron. Kurbis.

No. 336. - The Calabash is of the same family as the squash and pumpkin. The fruit, when young, is hairy on the outside, and quite soft and tender. The surface, however, becomes hard, smooth and glossy when the fruit is ripe. The fruit is only fit for use when young, and it is then pickled in vinegar, the same as cucumbers. The flesh, when fully ripe, is worthless, but the shells, which are hard, light, compact and very strong, are used in the manufacture of baskets and for many ornamental purposes. There are four varieties: the Bottle Gourd, the Hercules Club, the Powder Horn, and the Siphon Gourd. They are cultivated in the same manner as squash or pumpkins.