Vegetables of the Vine Family 



commence at once. Covering the hills with 

 frames will save much work in combating insects 

 or a cap of window screening will be effectual; 

 this is made from a round piece of netting with a 

 slit on one side from center to edge to allow its 

 being bent in a tent shape. A stick should be 

 fastened to it to hold it together and anchor it to 

 the ground ; this can be easily arranged by taking 

 a piece of wood four or five inches longer than the 

 cap and splitting it half its length, inserting the 

 wire where it laps into the split and thrusting the 

 free end into the ground. These little caps are 

 very practical as they can be flattened out and laid 

 away when no longer required, occupying very 

 little space to store and for that reason are prefer- 

 able to the boxes. 



Squash vines may be kept from growing too 

 rampant by shortening the branches. They 

 should always be pinched back as soon as they 

 have made a foot, or less, of gi-owth and when 

 fruit is well set on the vines the ends may be 

 severely cut back to insure the early maturity 

 of the fruit already set. I have removed branches 



183 



