72 TRAIJSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



trouble with the former, and prefer its thicker leaves. The fall 

 sowings may be cleaned ofi' in season for spring crops of various 

 kinds. 



Squashes. — Three, or even tv>'o, of the numerous kinds are suf- 

 ficient for the farmer's use — the Early Bush, Yellow Crook-neck 

 for first, and the Boston Marrow for fall and winter use. The 

 round or pan-shaped bush is a little the earliest, but not as good 

 as the Yellow. The Hubbard is also a good keeping or winter 

 sort. The squash has to run the gauntlet of so many insect ene- 

 mies that in some localities its culture is given up. If it survives 

 the persistent attacks of the striped bug when first up (the run- 

 ning squashes being a dainty morsel for these "yellow-jackets''), it 

 is next seized by a large, dark brown, "odoriferous" bug, while 

 one species of the "lady bird" pays addresses to it; and if it 

 escapes these, a traitorous insect stings it near the root, and the 

 resultant "borers" finish it. The summer varieties, coming for- 

 ward early, in part escape these insects. Plant them in hills four 

 feet apart, and cover half to three-fourths of an inch. When past 

 the attacks of the striped bug, thin to four plants in a hill. The 

 running sorts should be six to eight feet apart, treated in the same 

 way. Soot and tobacco dust are good applications to keep off 

 bugs. Small wooden boxes, with or without glass-covers, are a 

 protection. Hand pick the "stinking bugs," but the borers we 

 generally succumb to, though they may sometimes be cut out with 

 a knife and not kill the plants. All squashes want a warm, rich 

 soil, and the faster, they grow the better they overcome their 

 enemies. 



Tomatoes, from being curiosities a few years ago, are now indis- 

 pensable to every garden. For first early, sow in a hot bed, or 

 procure plants to set out the first of May. Seed sown in any 

 position, middle of April or first of May, covering half an inch, 

 will furnish plants for a later crop. Set in a finely-worked soil 

 along the borders, three feet apart, or in rows that distance from 

 each other. They are among the easiest things to raise, a volun- 

 teer crop being sure to come up where they were grown the pre- 

 vious year. Some prefer tying to stakes or bushing them, but we 

 let them take their own course. The large smooth red and Fejee 

 are the best sorts — the latter for our use. 



Turni2:)S. — Sow the red top, or other flat sorts in drills two feet 

 apart, covering one-fourth inch, middle of April to middle of May, 

 for early, and middle of July to August 15th, for late fall crops. 



