THE GEOWIiNG AND MARKETING OF SQUASHES, 

 MELONS AND CUCUMBERS.' 



BY HENRY M. HOWARD, DIX FARM, WEST NEWT'ON, MASS. 



The cultivation of each of these crops is most easily understood and 

 performed. The preparation of the soil is so easy and the labor of 

 cultivating and harvesting so light that they have been called the 

 lazy man's crops. But in order to get a large yield of high quality, 

 and make a big profit, a grower is required who is able to surmount 

 every difl5culty. 



In general the preparation of the soil would be the same for each 

 of these crops. Manure is applied broadcast, at the rate of from 8 to 

 10 cords per acre, and plowed in about 6 inches deep. Additional 

 manure or fertihzer is used in the hill. As soon as the manure is plowed 

 in, harrow and level the surface, and continue to harrow and level at 

 intervals of a week until ready to plant the crop, the latter part of 

 May or the first part of June. 



• Squashes. 



The growing of squashes can easily be made more profitable than 

 the raising of corn or potatoes. There is considerable outlay connected 

 with starting in the squash business. It is necessary to have a good 

 storage plant, well built and heated, but tliis plant requires very little 

 repair, and there is no great shrinkage in value. A good squash house 

 is double- walled, rat proof and plastered on the inside. The shelves 

 are made 6 or 7 feet wide and 2^ feet apart, one above another. A 

 walk 2 feet wide is left all round the wall and between the tiers of 

 shelves. The heating may be by a coal stove or a hot-water heating 

 system, having the heating pipes located on the walls and near the 

 floor. The ventilation should be by windows on the side walls and 

 gable ends. 



A crop of squashes will vary from 7 to 10 tons to the acre. Some 

 varieties are much heavier croppers than others. The Bay State has 

 yielded 12 tons per acre. The price per ton varies from year to year. 

 There is usually a good market some time each year at S30 per ton, 

 and often at $40 to $50. One year not long ago a few were sold at $4 

 and So a barrel. Considering the average crop of squashes, and how 

 great a yield of some companion crop may be secured, the growing 

 and storing of winter squashes look quite attractive. 



' Crop report for May, 1911. 



