JONAH'S GOURD.
"The bottle gourd, (lagenaria) grows in many parts of the world to near six feet long, and two feet thick.
The rinds or shells are used by the negroes in the West India islands as bottles, holding from one pint to many gallons. Barham speaks of one that hold nine gallons; and the Rev. Mr. Griffith Hughes mentions them in his history of Barbadoes, as holding twenty-two gallons. Sloane mentions one of these gourds as large as the human body.
"The gourd called Vegetable Marrow, is of a pale yellow colour. Those I have seen did not exceed from seven to nine inches in length. It has only been known a few years in this country; and, I believe, was not sold in the shops and markets before the summer of 1819; and although they are of so late an introduction, the accounts are very imperfect: but it seems most probable that the seeds were brought in some East India ships, and likely from Persia, where it is called cicader. It is cultivated in the same manner as cucumbers, and is said by those who have grown them to be very productive. This fruit is used for culinary purposes in every stage of its growth. When very young, it is good fried with butter; when half-grown, it is said to be excellent, either plainly boiled, and served up sliced on toasted bread, as asparagus; or stewed with rice sauce, for which purpose it is likewise sliced. It is often sent to table mashed like turnips: when full grown, it is used for pies. It has been highly recommended to me by many persons who have grown it, while others speak of it as but little superior to the pompion."
We observe, from Galiffe, that the pumpkin is the principal food of the lower orders in Venice; and have no doubt but that it might be very advantageously introduced into the messes of this country, but for the prejudice against all innovations of this sort, and for purposes of economy. All along the Danube too, the gourd and the melon constitute, during their season, the daily meals of the labouring classes.
THE PROMPTER.—No. X.
It will do for the present.
Custom, with an iron rod, rules four-fifths of mankind. My father planted corn on a certain piece of land—it answered well—I do the same, though it does not answer well. My neighbour such a one tells me that I had better try a change of crops, deep ploughing, or sowing turnips or clover; it may be the land will recruit; but my neighbour is notional, and fond of new things. I do not like projects. My father did so before me, and it does for the present.