A dear close associate of mine said something that made me think. We were discussing the speed at which hard-shell gourds dry and he said what about packing them in boxes of salt. Covering the gourd once mature and harvested in a box (in the shed) with salt, much like they cure fish and other things with it. The salt would wick away moisture, control bacteria and fungus growth and is rather cheap in bulk. 100lbs at the feed store is only 6.99$..

Anyone have any thoughts?