The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-03
A NORTHERN PACIFIC VEGETABLE.
An oprnAs SQUASH nnoUonr W ny HAND.

Among the persons exhibiting at the
territorial fair this year is james X. john
son, farmer Of the Prickly Pear Valley,
whose ranch lies seven miles north of Hell
ena. lie has asplendid collection of grain
and vegetables, among the latter a squash
Of nearly forty pounds weight, which has
a history too remarkable to pass unreeord-
ed. IL is Of the California mammoth va
riety, and considerably the smallest "buIb"
Of several Of the 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 EN-
ploye. Mr. johnson deplored the acci-
dent, the vegetable being favorite and
the first to set from the blossom, and he
entertained great expectations of it, The
hired man seeing his distress, suggested
that the squash be taken and raised BY
hand. johnson confessed he did not know
what that meant.
at will grow aud mature if you will
furnish the milk, was the response.
"Go ahead and do it, said johnson,
who smilcd grimly, thinking that the Yam
kee hired man was disposed to play
joke on him.
The "orphau vegetable" with the stem
and few inches Of the vine left intact,
was taken to the house and deposited in a
garrett room, where 1t could get sun bath
part of each day. The stem was wound
with several layers Of cotton cloth, aud
this was submerged in a dish of new milk
morning and evening. The squash fed
hungrily on the lacteal fluid. On the start
it absorbed pint Of milk 10 few hours.
This was presently increased to q quart
and twice day it was thus rationed to
the first day of the fair. 1t thrived won.
deriully 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 veg.
etable production. They watched it nurse
and could easily detect the healthy appe.
tite draining the nutritious drink. Every
one gave the squash repeated shakes, and
pressed their investigation 10 learn wheth
er there was any internal evidence of all
the milk which that vegetable had con,
sumed. The squash prospered amazingly
expanded in size continually, and wher
taken away for exhibition weighed within
a fraction of forty pounds.
There were many at the fair whose Gu
rlosity was greatly excited about thi.
squash, and Mr. Johnson promised to cut
the vegetable in the presence Of witnesse.
and exhibit TO them its "true inwardness
This was done before large coneourse Of
people, and the amazement Of the multi
tude may be pictured but not described
when it was opened to their wondering
eyes. Divided carefully in the middle
the top half was removed, disclosing 1
globe Of beautiful, golden.hued butter
with plump filed seeds peoping out from
all sides of the MISUNDERSTANDING ball. 1t.
weight was estimated by many of the bes
Judges at ten pounds, aud was as frest
aud fragrant to the smell as a spring blow
daisy. II was the unheard-of poyelt,
more than tho surprising beauty of the
slght that raised the enthusiastic outbreal
Of the crowd as they viewed the remarkabl,
blending Of farm and dairy nroduoe. Tn,
meat OF the squash, in richness Of color
equalled that of the butter.ball, and, aftei
everybody has had fair chance to Sc,
and satisfy themselves Of the genuinenes
of both, and investigate to their hesTt!
epptent the unique exhibit, it will be di
vlded up and parcelled out to a dozen Of
more parties, to whom also will be givet
portions Of the butter for trial. Mr.. John
sou receives from tho citizens Of Helen.
q special premium of twenty dollars fol
this rarest specimen of "butter squash
ever raised by hand or, for that matter
by natures own process Helena, Moata
nd, Herald.