74 



PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE 



FIG. 56. Squash 



plants can grow in one hill. The distance between hills 

 depends on the variety of squash. Some varieties have 

 long vines ; some, short ones. 



Care of the Vines. In temperate 

 countries, squash vines lie on the 

 ground; but in the Philippines, be- 

 cause the climate is more moist, they 

 are usually given supports on which to 

 climb. They may as well be left on 

 the ground, however, unless it is wet enough to make the 

 fruit decay. The vines will take root at the nodes. After 

 the vines become strong and healthy, these roots must be 

 cut on the young parts, or the plants will make long 

 vines, instead of much fruit After a young squash ap- 

 pears on a vine, it is 

 best to cut the tip of 

 the branch; this 

 makes the plant put 

 its strength into the 

 fruit. 



Varieties. There 

 are many varieties of 

 squashes, differing 

 in size, shape, taste, 

 and in the time it 

 takes them to mature. The American squashes ma- 

 ture much more quickly than do those common in the 

 Philippines, but are more likely to be injured by insects 

 and diseases. Ampalaya and upo are gourds rather than 



FlG. 57. Ampalaya 



