CHAPTER XVIII 



VEGETABLE MARROWS, SQUASHES, AND CUCUMBERS 



THESE three vegetable fruits may be conveniently 

 dealt with under one head as the culture which they 

 necessitate has many points in common. 



Vegetable Marrows are of prolific habit and, in 

 consequence, are well worth the little care and attention 

 demanded by them. The soil which they require needs 

 to be richly manured, but this should be done at least 

 a month or six weeks before bedding out. Early in 

 April sow seeds, the wedge end downwards, one in each 

 thumb-pot half filled with good soil composed of loam 

 and leaf mould. Place the pots in a conservatory or 

 frame where a temperature of about 55 can be main- 

 tained. As growth proceeds, add more soil to the pots, 

 but do not ram it in, and place the receptacles close up to 

 the glass to assist a strong growth. When the seedlings 

 outgrow the pots place them in larger ones, using 

 richer soil to fill up the surroundings. Towards the end 

 of May find room for the pots in the cold frame in order 

 that they may be hardened, and during June plant out 

 in the open. If no suitable heat is available sow out of 

 doors in May, but a later crop must then be expected. 



The bed for vegetable marrows usually consists of a 

 low mound. To prepare this dig out a hole about a foot 



deep and a yard square, half fill it with farmyard manure, 



tt 



