SQUASHES 



261 



SQUASHES are various forms of the Cucurbitce, in- 

 cluding the Pumpkins and Vegetable Marrows, which 

 are cultivated in the same way, for their large fruits. 



Fig. 119. Squash seedlings. Two-thirds natural size. 



Varieties are very numerous, coming botanically under 

 the names of Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, and C. mos- 

 chata\ culturally they divide into bush and running 

 Squashes, the Pumpkins and Marrows being of the 

 second type. Bush -Squashes are chiefly summer varie- 

 ties, while running kinds are chiefly late and long-keep- 

 ing. The popular idea is that the 

 varieties hybridize when in flower, 

 and this is true to a limited extent 

 of some of them, but pumpkins will 

 not cross with Squashes. They are all 

 tender annual plants, and must, gen- Fig. 120. Plant of sum- 



n i . i i ii i mer Squash, scallop 



erally speaking, complete their de- or pattypan type. 



