Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 9 · column 4 of 5 · from the scan, no model involved
Caring for your gourds
Because gourds require a long growing season, they should be left in the garden as long as there is life left in the vine. The gourd shell will get harder and thicker the longer it is left on the vine. Frost may discolor the gourds but will not harm them. When harvesting the gourds, only take those with stems that have browned or shriveled. If the stem is green and healthy the gourd can continue to grow until frost.
Cut the gourd from the vine, leaving at least four inches or more of stem. This will allow you to handle the gourds or hang them by the stem. Wash the gourd with a solution of bleach and water and dry it well. Gourds need three to six months to dry. The most important factor in curing gourds is time, placing them in a well-ventilated area will speed the curing process. Wooden pallets can be very useful to set your gourds on while they are drying during the winter. It can take several months for gourds to completely dry. Often an exterior coat of mildew appears on the gourd. It is the natural drying process, does not harm the gourd. If the gourd wrinkles or gets soft, it should be discarded. As long as they remain hard, they should be saved.
You know gourds are completely dry when they are lightweight, a brown/tan color, mottled from mold, and the seeds rattle. Once cured, the thin, outer layer of skin and mold must be removed before using the gourds. Place the gourds it in hot, soapy water for about 15 minutes, then scrape off the outer film and skin using a dull knife or steel wool. You may then want to use a fine sandpaper to smooth up the gourd’s surface. Any bug holes or blemishes can he filled with w*ood filler and then touched up with a matching paint to conceal the blemish. Rinse the gourds and allow them to dry.
97.2%