292 SCHOOL AND HOME GAKDENS 



Culture. Keep a loose layer of soil on the surface of 

 the ground. Pull weeds by hand while they are small. 

 Thin to about two inches apart. 



Harvesting. Keep thinning and using the plants 

 until they stand about six inches apart in the row. 

 Use the largest leaves of the plants that are left on the 

 ground. Two or three pickings may be had from the 

 same plant. 



Cold frame. Plants may be started in cold frames and 

 set out later. Spinach for either early spring or late fall 

 use may be grown in cold frames. 



Disease and pests. Use rotation and clean culture as 

 a protection against disease and pests 



THE SQUASH 



Varieties. There are two kinds of squash the bush 

 and the running varieties. The bush varieties are mostly 

 for summer use. The running varieties produce larger 

 fruit ; they should be planted as the main crop for fall 

 and winter use. 



Soil. The squash may be grown on any kind of soil, 

 provided the hills are in good condition. Spade up a 

 space two feet in diameter and ten or twelve inches deep. 

 Mix one or two shovelfuls of well-rotted manure with 

 the soil. A handful of commercial fertilizer may also be 

 put into the hill, but do not let it touch the seeds. 



Planting. Plant when all danger from frost is over. 

 Make the hills of the bush varieties from three to four 



