SQUASHES. 



The Squashes are an interesting and useful class 'of vegetables ; interesting because present- 

 ing such a variety of forms ; of their usefulness we need not say a word. The Squashes are 



of tropical origin, and 

 therefore it is useless to 

 plant them until the soil 

 is quite warm, and all 

 danger of frost or cold 

 nights is over; and as 

 they make a very rapid 

 growth there is no neces- 

 sity of haste in getting 

 the seed in the ground. 

 We usually divide the 

 Squashes into two 

 classes, Summer and 

 Winter. The SUMMER 

 SQUASHES are eaten 

 when the rind and flesh 

 are tender, about mid- 

 summer. The best of 

 this class are the Crook- 

 Neck and Scollop, and 

 these are what are called 

 bush varieties, and do 

 not run. The WINTER 

 SQUASHES are allowed to ripen thoroughly before gathering, and are then stored away for winter 

 use. A good, cool cellar will preserve these winter Squashes until May, if well ripened. The 

 winter varieties are all runners, we believe. The best winter Squash is the Hubbard, fig. 1, 

 and if pure and well ripened, and decently cooked, it is almost as good as a Sweet Potato. 

 Fig. 2 represents the Marblehead, another excellent winter Squash, ^^SPi/lfci^. 3 



but we think hardly equal to the Hubbard. Fig. 3, Scollop, or Pie- 

 formed, a good sort, 

 and liked by market 

 gardeners, because 

 the rind is somewhat 

 hard, and it bears 

 shipping well. Fig. 

 4 is the excellent 



summer Crook-Neck, one of the best, if not the best, of the whole race ot Summer Squashes. 

 Squashes are good feeders, and like a rich soil ; it is best to manure in the hill. Sow a dozen 

 seeds in each hill, and when danger from " bugs " is over pull up all but three or four. A mel- 

 ,low, warm soil is best. For bush sorts, make hills three or four feet apart, and for the running 

 kinds twice this distance. 



SPINACH. 



To grow Spinach in perfection, the soil must be rich. Sow in the autumn for spring use, in 

 good drained soil, in drills a foot apart. As soon as the plants are well 

 up, thin them to about three inches 

 apart in the rows. Covering with a 

 little straw or leaves before winter is 

 useful but not necessary. For sum- 

 mer use, sow as early as possible in 

 the spring. There are two popular 



varieties, the principal distinction being that one has a round seed, and the other with 



points, and called prickly. These we have shown in the engraving. 



162 



