KITCHEN-GARDENING. 133 



SQUASH. 



GOURDE GIRJ.UMON ou POTIRON. Cucurbita melopepa. 



The several varieties of Squash are very useful in this and 

 other warm climates, as they can be grown in perfection in the 

 summer, and therefore prove a good substitute for Turnips. 

 The seed should be planted in May and June, in hills, prepared 

 in the same manner as for Cucumbers and Melons ; and their 

 subsequent management is the same in every respect. The 

 bush kinds should be planted three or four feet apart, and the 

 running kinds from six to nine, according to their nature, as 

 some will run more than others. It is always best to plant 

 five or six seeds in a hill, to guard against accidents ; as when 

 the plants are beyond danger they can be thinned to two or 

 three in a hill. 



The fruit of the Early Summer Squash is generally gathered 

 for use before the skin becomes hard, and while it is so tender 

 as to yield to the pressure of the thumb-nail. The winter 

 Squashes should be allowed to ripen, and collected together in 

 October, before they are injured by hard frosts. 



All kinds of Squashes should, after having been boiled ten- 

 der, be pressed as close as possible between two wooden 

 trenchers, or by means of a slice or skimmer, made of the 

 same material, until dry, and then prepared for the table in 

 the same manner as Turnips. 



In order to raise excellent Squashes, good seed is essential, 

 and rich ground and clean cultivation are indispensably neces- 

 sary. The seeds should be selected from a ripe and good 

 Squash, and not from a hybrid. Manure may be applied in 

 the hill. If the soil be heavy, let a few shovelfuls of sand be 

 mingled with the soil, where each hill is to grow. When the 

 vines grow rampantly, pinch off the ends of each as soon as 

 they have grown as far from the hill as it is desirable for them 

 to spread. There is nothing gained, but much lost, by allow- 

 ing the main vines and branches also to attain a great length. 



