CUCUMBERS 159 



what flattened squash, is considered excellent. 

 To my taste, however, there is no early variety 

 like the luscious tender Golden Crookneck. 

 Treat these summer squashes much like salad cu- 

 cumbers. Feed the young plants plenty of nitrate 

 of soda and they will grow big and really beauti- 

 ful, and the fruit will then be very tender and deli- 

 cate and fine of flavor. The sturdy crooknecks do 

 not need the careful attention that must be given 

 the sensitive cucumber. Their lusty growth is, 

 usually, perfectly healthy, almost never a prey 

 to disease. Insect enemies do not trouble them 

 much; the beetles do not seem to fancy the big 

 leaves. 



Summer squashes are very prolific. Only a few 

 hills will be needed ; give them plenty of room and 

 allow only two or three plants to a hill. Give 

 them ordinary care and, very soon, the big yellow 

 blossoms will begin to appear and, soon after- 

 wards, the little crooknecks. None should be 

 allowed to ripen, unless one plant is to provide 

 seed. Gather all the fruits when they are just 

 exactly right. That is before the shell is hard, 

 while the thumb still pierces the surface easily, 

 and brings a spurt of the juice. If they are too 

 small, they will be flavorless. If the fruit is all 

 gathered when ready, these lusty plants will con- 

 tinue to produce the little crooknecks even until 

 the first frost that burns and withers the mam- 

 moth sheltering leaves. Keep a lookout beneath 



