264 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



Garden Culture. In addition to injunctions for thorough 

 working of the soil and adequate irrigation, there is the opportu- 

 nity in garden culture to produce grand results by special fertiliza- 

 tion. Careful use of the compost or liquid manure described in 

 Chapter VIII, produces marvelous results. 



Varieties. We have in California probably all the kinds of 

 squash known to horticulture. Some amateurs take special interest 

 in such collections, and scores of varieties representing 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 Scallops comprise most of the crop; both the early white and 

 yellow being grown the former preferred. The yellow crookneck 

 is also grown to some extent, and its advocates hold it best adapted 

 to early planting because less liable to frost injury, but it must not 

 be trusted too far. 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, 

 while the Boston Marrow, with sweet, high colored flesh, is a favor- 

 ite with the canners. The field squash crop is made of several varie- 

 ties. 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 specimens. 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 England 

 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 pre- 

 ferred. There is much confusion in the terms "squash" and "pump- 

 kin," and there are many chance hybrids which await analysis by 

 some cucurbitous specialist. 



