Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-12-18
Remarkable Work OF a Montana Hor-
ticuIturist.


ticulturist.
Among those exhibiting mt the Terri
torinl fair this year is JAMES X. John
son, a farmer Of the Prickley Pear val
ley, whose ranch lies seven miles north
of Helena. He hus n splendid collcc-
tion of grain and vcgctables-among
the latter "A squash Of nearly forty
pounds weight. which has "a history too
remarkable TO pass unrccardcd. II il
Of the California mammoth variety, and
considerably the smallest "bulb " Of
several Of the same Kind shown in the
same collection. Some six or seven
weeks ago-whcn little more than ten
pounds weight-tls squash twas ncci-
dcntuliy severed from its vine by the
tread OF u farm employee. Mr. johnson
deplorcd the accident, the vegetable be-
ing favOrite and the first 20 set from
the blossom, and hc entertained great
expectations from it. The hired man.
seeing his distress, suggested that the
squash be taken and raised by hand
johnson confessed lac did not know
what that meant. - 1t will grow and
mature il if you will furnish the milk
was the response. Go ahead and do
it, said Johnson who smiled grimly.
thinking that the Yankee hired man was
disposed TO play Josh " ON him. The
orphan vegetable with the stem aud
a few inches OF the vine left intact, was
taken to the house and deposited in
gnrrct room, where il could get q sun
bath part oi each day. The stem was
wound with several layers Of cotton
cloth, and this was submerged in dish
OF ncw mi.h morning and evening. The
squash fed hungrily on the ia,teal fluid
On the start ii absorbed pint Of milk
in few hours. This was presently in
creased 10 q quart, and twice day 1t
was thus r3,iioncd "a the first day Of the
air on Monday last. Ittlriycd wonder
fully on IL. novel bringing up, and
ncighbors who dropped in tn see IL from
time to time expressed their surprise
and astoni-hmrn, at this singular mode
of vegetable production. They watched
it nurse, and could easily detect the
healthy appetite draining the nutri-
tious drink. Every one gave the squash
repeated shakes and pressed their iuvc--
legations to learn whether there was
any internal evidence 81 All the milk
which that vegetable had consumed
The squash prp-pcrrd amazingly, rN-
paud,d in size continually, and when
taken away for rNhIhitluu weighed
within q fra C'iun ol forty pounds There
wcr" many at 90, fair whose curiosity
was greatly excited about this squash
and Mr.. johnson promised 70 cut the
vegetable ia the presence of witnesses.
and exhibit 90 them H.. true inward
ness THIS was done this morning be-
fore Inrg" concuursc of people. and the
amazDWout ut the multitude may b.
pictured but not do-cTib,d when IL was
up.Ecd 'n their wondering eyes. Ul-
yidcd carefully IN the middle, the top
H..
beautiful golden-hucd butter. with
pump-tiiicd seeds pcopine out from all
sides of the luscious looking ball Its
weight was estimated by many 81 the
best judges at ten pounds, and was A.
fresh and fragrant to the smell as
spring blown daisy. II was the un.
hcard-of novelty moro than the surpass-
in, beauty Of the sight that raised the
enthusiastic outhur-t Of the crowd A.
they viewed this remarkable blending
of farm and dairy produce. The
meat of the squash. in richness of
color. cqua.cd that Of IN, butter ball
and. aftcr every body has had a fAil
chanc" Ia see and satisfy thom-ciyo. oi
the rcnuiuCn,ss Of both, and investigate
10 their hearts content the unique OK
hihit. IL vii. be divided up and parroiod
out to dozen or more parties. 10 whom
also Will bc given portions Of the butter
for trial. Mr.. johnson receives from
the citizens Of Helena q special premium
of $40 for this rarcst specimen Of but
ter squnsl! ever raised by hand. or for
that matter. by natures own process.
We think 1t vii, be generally acknowl-
edged q wondrous product, the counter
part Of which has probably never be.
tore been seen or heard Of in Montana
or any other part of the world.-HicHd
CH0EtIHG) Hcrdh