Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1879-12-31


We suppose it to be true that Montana
quite tax es the lead ofal countries in the size,
! weight and prolific yield of its vegetable
product. The exhibits at the Territorial
Fair for successive years have, we think,
established this fact beyond any con
troversy. In grain, for instance, the
best acre of wheat has to exceed one
hundred bushels to carry off the blue
ribbon. In the vegetable kingdom the
same grandeur of yield, as also of quality,
weight and size, govern in the awards
bestowed for Montana farm products.
Among those exhibiting at the Terrific
rial Fair this year is James r. johnson, a
farmer of the Prickly Pear valley, whose
ranch lies seven miles north of Helena.
He has a splendid collection of grain and |
vegetables-among the latter a squash Of |
nearly forty pounds weight, which has n |
history too remarkable to pass unrscorded. |
1t is of the California Mammoth variety, |
and considerably the smallest "bulb" of !
several of the same kind shown in the col |
lection. Some six or seven weeks ago
when little more than ten pounds weight
this SQUASH was accidentally severed from
its vine by the tread of farm employe.
Mr.. johnson deplored the accident, the
vegetable being q faYorite and the first to
set from tho blossom, and he entertained
seeing his distress, suggested that the
squash be taken and raised by hand.
johnson confessed he did not know what
that meant. 8" | will grow and mature it if
you will furnish the milk" was the re-
spouse. eco ahead and do it, said John
son, who smiled grimly, thinking the
Yankee hired man. was disposed to play
"josh" on him. The "orphan vegetable"
with the stem and few inches Of the vine
left intact, was taken to the house and de-
posted in a garnet room, where it could
get sun bath of each day. The stem was
wound with several layers of cotton cloth,
and this was submerged in dish of new
milk, morning and evening. The squash
fed hungrily on the tactical fluid. On the
start it absorbed a pint of milk in a few
hours. This was presently increased to a
quart, and twice day it was thus rationed
to the first day of the fair, on Monday last.
1t thrivsd wonderfully on its novel bring
ing up, and neghbors who dropped in
from time to time to see it expressed their
surprise and astonishment at this singular
mode ofvegetablepr production. They watched
it nurse and could easily detect the healthy
appetite draining the nutritious drink
Every one gave the squash repeated shakes
and pressed their Investigations to learr
whether there was any internal evidence o
all the milk which that vegetable had con
sumed. The squash prospered amazingly
expanded in size continually, and whel
taken away for exhibition weighed within
fraction of forty pounds. There wsr
many at the Fair whose curiosity wa
greatly excited about this squash, and MI
johnson promised to cut the vegetable i
- the presence of witnesses and exhibit I
: them its "trus inwardness." This wa
e done this morning before large concours
: Of people, and the amazement of the mu
. titude may DE pictured but not describe
: when it was opened to their wonderin
e eyes. Divided carefully in the middle, th
top half was removed, disclosing globe
. beautiful, golden.hued butter, with plum
fl led seeds peeping out from all sides
the luscious looking ball. Its weight vi
estimated by many of the best judges
ten pounds, and was as fresh and fragral
to the smell as a spring blown daisy.
: was the unheard Of novelty more than II
, : surprising beauty Of the sight that raise
= the enthusiastic outburst of the crowd
= = they viewed this remarkable blending
farm and dairy products. The "meat"
: the squash, in richness Of color, equallt
= that of the butter ball, and after eve:yboC
. has had q fair chance to see and salts
- themselves Of the genuiness of both, al
: investigate to their hearts content 4
unique exhibit, will be divided up al
7 : paroelled out to a dozen or more parties,
c = whom also will be given portions Of I
2 butter for trial. Mr.. johnson receiy
from the citizens of Helena special p
: MUM of $40 for this rarest specimen oil
\, Z "butter squash" ever raised by hand or
!: !: i:
y 2 that matter by natures process. We thi
a ) it will be generally acknowledged wor
N rous product, the counterpart Of which
z probably never before been seen or hea
Va 2 Of in Montana or any other part of I
"a world.-Hrlrad MAJ HcraH