156 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



area of the winter ash-pile and lean coal-ashes. 

 The seeds sprouted and started to grow. In the 

 fall the vagrant uncared-for seedling produced a 

 most real harvest. The vines ran along in the 

 grass close by the house and, having made strong 

 permanent growth, they actually climbed the 

 eaves' spout in a sheltering angle of the house; 

 and, there, beneath the cornice in the bend of the 

 eaves' pipe, was a Boston Marrow squash, almost 

 ripe. 



Some practical suggestions may be of value in 

 growing winter squashes in the roomy country 

 garden. Placed on the garden border, the big 

 vines will have plenty of room to spread them- 

 selves; and the grass will protect the squashes 

 from midsummer heat and from the beetles. Un- 

 less disposed of permanently, the persistent beetles 

 will be on hand, in the fall, and they may ruin 

 our cherished Hubbard squashes. To keep well, 

 the shells must be hard; and to be fine of flavor 

 and mealy, the squashes must not be watery. 

 Feed the young plants plenty of potash and you 

 may be sure of fine-flavored, firm-textured, hard- 

 shelled squashes. Pruning squashes is of special 

 importance. A few thoroughly developed well- 

 ripened squashes are much more satisfactory in 

 the end than a host of half-developed fruit, 

 Allow only a few squashes to set on each vine. 

 Pinch off all the others and also pinch the vine- 

 ends as soon as enough fruit has begun to develop. 



