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AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK, 255 



563. The pumpkin is generally grown in connection with 

 corn, occasionally with potatoes; and rarely or never alone. 

 Two or three seeds are planted with the corn in the hill or row, 

 and thinned out to one afterwards, the plants being left from 6 

 to 8 feet apart. No further care is requisite except to gather 

 and store before frosts occur. 



564. The usual yield is probably from 3 to 4 tons per acre; 

 but there are instances on record of 7 tons per acre among corn, 

 and 15 tons per acre among potatoes. (Patent Office Reports, 

 1844, p. 144; 1847, p. 188.) 



565. There is great difficulty in preserving this fruit during 

 winter ; as, in consequence of the quantity of water it contains, 

 frost readily destroys it; and even without frost, rot will occur 

 wherever the skin is bruised. The best mode is to pack upon 

 a tier of rails laid on the ground, under a warm shed, with straw 

 between each tier of pumpkins ; and before severe frost occurs, 

 cover thoroughly in all directions with a heavy covering of straw. 

 This latter must be deferred as long as possible, in order to al 

 low the superfluous moisture to escape. 



566. It has been recommended to grow the Vegetable Mar 

 row in the same manner, to feed hogs and other animals. This 

 is a very hardy and productive species, but whether it has any 

 advantages above the pumpkin, in an agricultural point of view, 

 has not been tested. An instance is mentioned where 20 tons 

 had been produced on an acre. 



567. For fattening hogs, these fruits are supposed to be more 

 nutritive if boiled. For ruminant animals, living on dry food, 

 they are probably preferable in their natural state. Pumpkins 

 increase the yield and richness, and improve the color of milk. 



568. The young plants are apt to be destroyed by the Cut 

 worms, and Cucumber Beetle, ( Galeruca vittata;) and there 

 fore more seed should be planted than is required. Many rem 

 edies have been proposed for the injury caused by this Beetle. 



