the vines of the Bush Table Queen seldom exceed ten feet. From these 

 crosses, it was hoped that a variety having high-quality, naked-seed fruits 

 somewhat similar to Table Queen or Delicata and borne on a bush plant 

 could be obtained. Some selections approaching the desired ends were ob- 

 tained, but they had only fair table quality. To improve their quality fur- 

 ther, crosses were made again with Bush Table Queen and Delicata and 

 a new series of selections was begun. At present, these selections have 

 squashes that are equal to Table Queen in table quality, and have earlv 

 productive plants that breed true for the naked seed character and bush 

 plant. Following self-pollination of one or two more generations of plants, 

 these promising selections should also be purified for size, shape, and color 

 of fruits. Seemingly, a new variety of bush squash of the Table Queen tvpe 

 with edible seeds should appeal to home gardeners and eventually may be 

 grown commercially as well. 



The squashes, when cut into halves and baked without removing the 

 edible seeds, have a rich nut-like flavor. 



Large Orange Squash for Peeling 



The demand by housewives for convenient products has led to the market- 

 ing of prepackaged squash peeled and cut ready to put in the kettle. Blue 

 Hubbard, which has been a favorite variety in this region, is not well suited 

 to this use. The green pigment that remains beneath the outer blue-gray 

 skin when it is removed by peeling detracts from the appearance of orange 

 flesh. A clear orange flesh is desired. Hence a variety with orange skin 

 free of all green streaks of color would be an improved squash for peeling. 

 The same orange squash selected from the seed imported from Turkey, 

 under the name Balkabagi and which was used in breeding the orange 



^w^ 



Start of squash-breeding project. Left, Balkabagi, a plant from Turkey. 

 Right, Pink Banana, a comniercial variety. In the center, their first cross. 



26 



