nds, which are often bent or curved in the manner of
some of the types of the Hubbard; stem of medium size, striated; skin
ash-green, with a smooth, polished surface; flesh salmon-yellow, thick,
fine-grained, dry, and sweet,--if the variety is pure, and the fruit
well matured, its quality approaches that of the Hubbard and Autumnal
Marrow; seeds white.

The variety is hardy and productive, keeps well, and is deserving of
cultivation. When grown in the vicinity of the last-named sorts, it
often becomes mixed, and rapidly degenerates. In its purity, it is
uniformly of one color; with perhaps the exception of the under surface,
which is sometimes paler or yellowish. It has been suggested that this
variety and the Hubbard may have originated under similar circumstances.

TURBAN.

Acorn. Giraumon Turban. Turk's-cap. Cucurbita piliformis.

Plant running; leaves small, soft, slightly lobed on the borders; fruit
rounded, flattened, expanding about the stem to a broad, plain,
brick-red surface, of ten or twelve inches in diameter. At the
blossom-end, the fruit suddenly contracts to an irregular, cone-like
point, or termination, of a greenish color, striped with white; and
thus, in form and color, somewhat resembles a turban: whence the name.
Flesh orange-yellow, thick, fine-grained, sugary, and well flavored;
seeds white, comparatively short, and small.

The Turban Squash is not early, and should have the advantage of the
whole season. "Its specific gravity is said to exceed that of any other
variety. Its keeping properties are not particularly good; but its
flavor, when grown on light, dry soil, will compare well with either
the Autumnal Marrow or the Hubbard." It mixes very readily when grown in
the vicinity of other varieties, is not an abundant bearer, and cannot
be recommended for general cultivation.

Dr. Harris states that "this variety--sometimes called the 'Acorn
Squash,' because, when the fruit is small, it resembles somewhat an
acorn in its cup--seems to be the _Cucurbita piliformis_ of Duchesne;"
and he further adds, that "it sometimes grows to a large size, measuring
fourteen or fifteen inches in transverse diameter, and looks like an
immense Turkish turban in shape. Specimens raised in my garden in 1851
were little more than ten inches in diameter, and weighed ten pounds or
more; having very thick and firm flesh, and but a small cavity within.
They proved excellent for table use,--equal in quality to the be