The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-12-15

Among those exhibiting at the Terri
,erial Fax this year IS James II. Johnson
a farmer OF Pliekley Pear Valley whose
ranch lies seven miles north of Helena.
Ho has a splendid collection OF grain and
vegetables, among the latter squash OF
nearly 40 pounds weight, which has a
history too remarkable to pass unrecorded.
II is Of the California mammoth variety,
and considerably the smallest bulb OF
several OF the kind shown in the same
collection, Some si.s or seven weeks ago
when little more than l0pounds' wei hit
thi, squash was accidentally severed lrom
its vine by the tread OF farm employee
Mr. johnson deplored the accident. the
vegetable bing favo.ite and the hrst 10
set from the blossom aud he entertained
great expectations from it. The hired man.
seeing his distress, suggested that tue
squash be taken and raised by hand.
johnson confessed be Gid not know what
that meant, at will grow and mature II
ven furnish the milk, was the response,
"Go ahead and do it, said johnson. wro
smiled grimly. thinking that the Yankee
hired mau wal disposed to play "losh
on him. The "oiphan vegetable, with
the stem and few inches Of the vine lett
intact, was taken TO the house and deposit
ed in garret room, where it could get
sun bath part of each day. The stem was
wound with several layers OF cotton cloth,
and this was submerged in a dish OF new
milk morning and evening The squash
fed hupgrily on the lacteal hn'd'
On the start it absorbed pint OF
milk IN few hours. This was
presently increased to quart ana
twice day it was thus rationed to the
first day of the fair, on Manday last. 1t
thrived wonderfully on its novel bringing
up, and neighbors who dopped in from
time to time to see it, expressed their SUI
prise 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 evi-
lence OF all the milk which that vegetable
has consumed The suqash prospered
amazingly, expanded in size continually,
and when taken away for exhibition
weighed within a fraction OF 40 pounds
There were maly at the fair whose curl
osity was greatly excited about the squash;
and Mr.. Johnson promised to cut the veg
etable in the presence OF witnesses. And
ey hibit to then, the ''true inSardness
This was doIe before a large concourse Oh
, rnule, aud the amazement OF the mulh'
,ude ma, be pictured, but not described,
wheu it was opened to their wondering
eyes Divided carefully in the middle.
the top half was removed disclosing a
globe of beautiful, 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 10 pounds, aud was as fresh and
fragrant to the smell as spring blown
daisy. 1t was the unheard OF novelty
more than the surprising peauty OF the
sight, that raised the enthusiastic outburst
of the crowd as they viewed the remark
able blending of farm ald dairy produce.
Tta ''meat" OF the squash in richr rs OF
color, equaled that of the butter-ball, aud
after everybody has had fair chance to
see AID satisfy themselves OF the genuine
ness of both, il will be divided up and
parceled out to a dozen or more parties.
to whom also will be given portions OF the
butter for trial M. Johnson receives from
the citizens of Helena a special premium
of $40 for this rarest specimen ofa "butter
squash" ever raj ed by hand, or, for that
matter, by natlres own process. We
;hink it it will be generally cknowledged
n won ,lrous product, the counterpart OF
which has p,obably never before been seen
y, heard Of ia No ntana or any other part
~ the world. d.-Helena Mont HeuL