CHAPTER XVII 



CUCURBITOUS OB VINE CROPS 



Cucumber, Pumpkin, 



Gherkin, Squash, 



Muskmelon, Preserving Melon, 



Watermelon, Luffa. 



Cucurbitous crops are annuals, grown for their fruits ; 

 they are tender to frost ; they require a warm season and 

 a full exposure to sun; they are long -season crops and 

 with most of them a quick start is essential in order that 

 they may mature the crop before fall ; they are grown in 

 hills, as a main crop ; they are planted in the field or in 

 frames, depending on the region and the period at which 

 the crop is wanted; they transplant with difficulty, and 

 if the plants are started in advance of the season they are 

 grown in pots, boxes or on sods. 



Cucurbitous crops are so called because they are 

 members of the family Cucurbitacea3. They comprise a 

 very natural group, both botanically and culturally. 



There are no fundamental differences in the cultiva- 

 tion of the various Cucurbitous crops. They are all very 

 tender to frost and they usually grow, at least in the 

 North, till overtaken by frost or disease. They all de- 

 mand light and very quick soil. Success lies in gaining an 

 early start and in not allowing the plants to suffer a check. 

 The one place at which most people fail in growing these 



(411) 



