"INTRIGUING, FUNKY SHAPES, CREATIVE USES"
THEIR HISTORY DATES BACK TO PRIMITIVE CULTURES. EITHER WAY, GOURDS HAVE A WAY OF CAPTIVATING OUR IMAGINATIONS, AS THEY DID IN THE 1800'S WITH THE MINING FAMILYS.
AN INEXPENSIVE WAY TO DECORATE, GOURDS FOUND THIER WAY INTO MINING FAMILYS GARDENS AND CABINS, THEY ARE EASY TO GROW AND WORK WITH. GOURDS SET FRUIT LATER IN THE GROWING SEASON.
EARLY FROST A PROBLEM? THE REMEDY? CLIP OFF THE GROWING TIP OF THE MAIN VINE WHEN IT REACHES 8 TO 10 FEET.
THE PLANT THEN DIRECTS IT'S ENERGY INTO THE LATERAL'S, RESULTING IN AN EARLIER AND BIGGER CROP.
"CLIPPED"
WHEN THE TENDRIL NEXT TO THE STEM TURNS BROWN THE GOURD IS READY TO BE CLIPPED OFF.
LEAVE TWO TO THREE INCH'S OF STEM, JUST AS YOU WOULD FOR A PUMPKIN.
"READY FOR THE CURE"
ONCE YOU PICK THE GOURD, IT'S TIME TO CURE IT . TO HELP STOP THE CHANCE OF ROT, WIPE OFF THE SURFACE WITH A DAMP TOWEL WITH DISINFECTANT SUCH AS LYSOL OR RUBBING ALCOHOL.
PLACE IN A WARM , DRY PLACE WITH GOOD AIR CIRCULATION.
DO NOT LET GOURDS TOUCH ONE ANOTHER.
"TURN IT INTO ART"
MOLD ON THE SKINS OF GOURDS, AS LONG AS IT'S SUPERFICIAL NO HARM IS DONE.
A FULLY CURED GOURD CAN BE COATED WITH CLEAR SHELLAC OR A LIGHT POLISH OF ORDINARY FLOOR WAX TO HELP PRESERVE IT.
DECORATE WITH PAINT, WOODSTAIN OR BURN PATTERNS.
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" THE JOURNEY "
MID - 1820'S
ONE OF THE WEST'S MOST FAMOUS MOUNTAIN MEN
CAME THIS WAY , AND VENTURED INTO THE
BLACK HILL'S.
THIS JOURNEY BECAME THE FIRST RECORDED PASSAGE.
" JEDEDIAH SMITH "
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