SQUASH GROWING. 341 



Varieties. We have in California probably all kinds of 

 squash known to horticulture. Some amateurs take special 

 interest in such collections, and scores of varieties repre- 

 senting the whole gourd family have been shown in State 

 fair exhibits. And yet the bulk of the product is made of 

 very few varieties. 



Of the bush forms which are relied upon for summer 

 squash, the scollops comprise most of the crop, both the 

 early white and yellow being grown the former pre- 

 ferred. The yellow crook-neck is also grown to some ex- 

 tent. The Italian and Boston marrows have a few warm 

 advocates. 



Of the winter squash for table use, the Hubbard and the 

 Red or Golden Hubbard, which is a little earlier, are chiefly 

 grown. The field squash crop is made of several varieties. 

 The California Marrowfat, a splendid, orange-colored 

 squash, takes the lead, while associated with it in the same 

 field may be found the Mammoth Chile, which is usually 

 the sort, more or less pure, which yields the largest speci- 

 mens. There is also a very large winter crookneck, very 

 prolific and rather more hardy in trying situations, but not 

 so good in keeping quality as the preceding. Here and 

 there may be found a field of the old-fashioned New Eng- 

 land pumpkin, and fair exhibits usually bring to light both 

 the Etampes and Tours pumpkins, but the large orange 

 and light olive fruits are named squashes in the California 

 vernacular, and are preferred. There is much confusion 

 both in the terms "squash" and "pumpkin," and there 

 are many chance hybrids which await analysis by some 

 cucurbitous specialist. O 



