Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-11-29
A YANKEE ACHIEVEMENT.

among tnose eXhloltlng at the Terri
torial Fair this year is James r. johnson,
farmer Of the Prickly Pear Valley,
whose ranch lies seven miles north OF
Helena. He has splendid collection of
grain and getables-among the latter
a squash ofnearly forty pounds in weight,
which has a history too remarkable to
pass rnrecorded. 1t is 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-when little more
than ten pounds weight-this squash was
accidentally severed from its vine by the
tread Of farm employe. Mr.. johnson
depored the accident, the vegetable be,
ing q favorite and the first to set from the
blossom, and he entertained great expec,
tations of it. The hired man, seeing his
distress, suggested that the squash be
taken and raised by hand. johnson con
fessed he did not know what that meant.
" l will grow aud mature it fyou will
furnish the milk" was the response
" Go ahead and do it," said johnson,
who smiled grimly, thinking the Yankee
hired man was disposed to play a'''josh "
on him. The "orphan " vegetable" with
the stem and a few inches of the vine left
intact, was taken to the house and depos ,
tied in garret room, where it could get
a sun-bath part 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 upon the lacteal flu
id. On the start it absorbed pint OF
milk in few hours. This was present.
ly increased to quart, and twice day
it was thus rationed to the first day Of the
fair, Oh Monday last. 1t thrived won
derfully on its novel bringing up, and
neighbors who dropped in from time to
time to see it expressed their surprise and
astonishment at this singular mode of
vegetable 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 learn whether there was any internal
evidence Of all the milk which that vege,
table had consumed. The squash pros
pered amazingly, expanded in size con
tlnually, and when taHen away for exhi-
btion, weighed within fraction of forty
pounds. There were many at the fair
whose curiosity was greatly excited about
this squash, and Mr.. johnson promised
to cut the vegeteb le in the presence Of
witnesses and exhibit to them its "true
inwardness." ;" This was done this morn
ing before large coneourse of people
and the amazement of the multitude may
be pictured but sot described when it was
opened to their wondering eyes. Divid-
ed carefully in the middle, the top half
was removed. disclosing globe of beau
tiful, golden hued butter, with plump
filled seeds peeping out from all sides OF
the luscious-looking ball. Its weight
was estimated by many Of the best judges
at ten pounds, and was as fresh and IRA
grant to the smell as spring blown
daisy. 1t was the unheard of novelty
more than the surprising beauty of the
sight that raised the enthus iastie outburst
of the crowd as they viewed this remark
able blending Of farm and dairy products.
The meat Of The squash in richness of
color, equaled that of the butter ball, and,
after every body has had a fair chance to
see and satisfy themselves ofthe genuine
ness of both, and Investigate to their
hearts content the unique exhibit, it will
be divided up and parceled out TO doz,
en- or more parties, to whom also will be
given portions Of the butter for trial.
Mr.. johnson receives from the citizens of
Helena a specis premium of 500 for this
rarest specimen ola butter squash, I"
ever raised by hand, or for that matter,
by natures own process. We think it
will be generally acknowledged won
drous product, the counterpart OF which
has probably never before been seen or
heard Of in Montana or any other part OF
the world. .-Hetena (Mon.) Herald.