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Gourd History and Growers |
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Gourd Patch Gourd Gallery Art Gallery Links Points Of Interest Home |
Gourds are on of the oldest crops to have been cultivated worldwide since prehistoric times. They appear in every known culture. Gourd were most commonly used for storing supplies, hauling water, as cooking and eating utensils, musicals instruments, bird feeders, birdhouses, rattles, and as body decorations. Native Americans boiled food by dropping hot rocks into gourds filled with liquid. In Japan, gourds are family heirlooms; They are considered to bring good health. In Africa, babies are fed with small gourd bottles. The earliest gourd seeds and fragments were found in Peru dating from 10,000 B.C. Recent discoveries in Gainsville, Fl. date back from 11,000 B.C. Gourd became important as humans became tool users and mastered their environment. They were used long before basketry and pottery. Primitive cultures even found medicinal uses for the gourd root, leaf, stem, flower and the fruit. Today gourds are still considered on of nature's greatest gifts to mankind. Althougth the most common use of gourds in all cultures is utilitarian, they are also used for decorations. Native Americans traditiaonally etch gourds using hot wood techniques and paint them with natural pigments derived from clay and berries. Artisans of today have also discovered gourds and their many useful, as well as decorative applications. Examples can be found of bowls, birdhouses and musical instruments. They continue to be wood burned, painted, and are often adorned with feathers, beads and woven natrual fibers. Gourds are a joy to grow and require little care. The plants will spread and climb everything in it's path. No two gourds are the same varing in shape and color. When dried and clearned, each will have its own natural blemishes and scars, which serve to enhance their natural beauty. Gourd are truly "nautre's pottery." Properly cured they will last indefinitely. ************************************************ Seed and Gourds Growers Hugh Wiley, Hwy 53 off 365, North Georgia area He has many varieties,and a good supply. (770) 983-7066 THE GOURD PILE The Gourd Pile has several varieties and 100's of gourds for sale all year. Call or write for prices. We ship UPS. We have a Huge selection of gourds. Elaine Hayes, Morven, GA, (229)-775-2123 THE GOURD FARM The Gourd Farm has many varieties and 100's of gourds for sale all year. Call or write for prices. Lean Braswell 1089 Hoyt Braswell Rd. Wrens, Ga. 30033 (706) 547-6784 Bradley's Pumpkin Patch Brad Weaver, Dawsonville, GA (706)-265-1447 Bradley's Pumpkin Patch F. SINCLAIR SHINGLER DBA SHINGLER DIVERSIFIED 424 NORTH TENNILLE AVE DONALSONVILLE, GA 39845 T TEL. 1-800-524-7866 CELL 1-229-400-4064 EMAIL- Shingler01@alltel.net Web: Shingler Diversified Barry Zettler, Raw Gourds Springfield, GA (912)-754-3539 Gourds - Martin, crookneck, etc. Hoyt Howard, Cummings, GA (770)-887-2039 Turkey Branch Gourds Raw Gourds C. L. Arnsdorff, Springfield, GA (912)-754-3779 ************************************************ don't hesitate to e-mail me.   1998 - 2009 Catherine Watkins. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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