Sep. 21—The Chinese farmer usually has'a few good horticultural Jokes up his sleeve, and it 1s Just at {his time of year that he springs one of the best of his varied if ancient Fepertoire.. "To "be exact, he just clears away @ tangle of green vines which have been growing unnoticed all summer, hidden by the verdure of {aller crops, and produces (as It from sleeve or hat) immense piles of the Jargest, mest uneatable-looking pump kins U have ever seen: they ate about the size and shape of the great round pillows which are fashionable Modern drawing-rooms ers. he sausage-shaped ones, mean, and 1 have been puzzling my poor brain
such a meal, a5 any single pumpkin try and tne Junk who could tackle would afford: some are' dark green with shiny-smooth skins while others have a sort of bloom which reminds are not likely to.lay any eggs until January or February next at the earliest, it is at frst dimeult to see what their object is, but a little observation soon makes this clear, The first idea Is to "stake out" the claim" anew, so that no. wandering birds may come and Jump it: this is done by sitting on or near the nest two or three times every day and screaming loudly when' any" other bird approaches: the next idea, to be taken ap a little later, is to examine the nest carefully and to carry out any necessary repairs and renewals Ju that Ielsurely fashion of which Magpies (and Chinese contractors) fare 0 ford: perhaps about Christmas time the nest will be ready for cupation—then amidst frost and snow and hail end rain, the Magpies breed~ {ng season will carry meteily on. one of that seen on a fresh grape Gr should T'be thinking of the frst touch of host-frost on. the verdure of Tate Autumn and, early winter? My Chinese friend, who solves 3 inimber of these mysteries. for me, treated the whole subject with the Uimest nonchalance; the idea of any Sane person sitting down to eat one of {hese Wwonder-pillow-purpkine did not worry him a bit: after assuring me mat the pumpkin made an excellent dish "when stewed with pork and served in its own gravy, he described {ts wonderful medicinal properties In no uncertain terms... and Uen came Gown to the meat of his discourse, "You see," he said, without batting an eyebrow, "this particular pumpkin, when eaten as T have mentioned, 1s of rear assistance In getting tid of the thirst and melancholy caused by the summer heat; we Chinese all it the Winter Pumpkin. (Tong. Kwa), and {Js most effective." How. marvellous, and how "opportune! Can. anyone Geny that the Chinese farmer is a natural-born salesman?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.