THE SQUASH. 197 



ous vegetable productions, contribute to the interest and 

 variety of horticultural exhibitions. 



THE SQUASH. 



All the varieties are tender annuals, and of tropical origin. 

 They only thrive well in a warm temperature ; and the seed 

 should not be sown in spring until all danger from frost is 

 past, and the ground is warm and thoroughly settled ; as, 

 aside from the tender nature of the plant, the seed is ex- 

 tremely liable to rot in the ground in continued damp and 

 cold weather. 



Any good, well-enriched soil is adapted to the growth of 

 the Squash. The hills should be made from eight to ten 

 inches in depth, two feet in diameter, and then filled within 

 three or four inches of the surface with well-digested com- 

 post ; afterwards adding sufficient fine loam to raise the hill 

 an inch or two above the surrounding level. On this plant 

 twelve or fifteen seeds, covering about three fourths of an 

 inch deep. Keep the earth about the plants loose and clean, 

 and from time to time remove the surplus vines, leaving the 

 most stocky and vigorous. Three plants are sufficient for a 

 hill ; to which number the hills should ultimately be thinned, 

 making the final thinning when all danger from bugs and 

 other vermin is past. The dwarfs may be planted four feet 

 apart ; but the running sorts should not be less than six or 

 eight. The custom of cutting or nipping off the leading 

 shoot of the running varieties is now practised to some ex- 

 tent, with the impression that it both facilitates the formation 

 of fruitful laterals and the early maturing of the fruit. 

 Whether the amount of product is increased by the process, 

 is not yet determined. 



In giving the following descriptions, no attempt has been 

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