200 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



are similar in the construction of their flowers, fail to produce 

 much fruit, though the vines may grow freely. This is a com- 

 mon complaint in some new prairie sections, as there is often 

 quite an absence of insects in such cases. Where the small 

 cucumbers, squashes or melons fall off and fail to mature, this 

 matter of pollenization should be closely looked into, and if 

 insects are not present the work can be quickly and easily 

 done by hand. For this purpose a rather large camel's hair 

 brush is used which can be filled at one time with enough pol- 

 len from a few male flowers to pollenize twenty or more female 

 flowers. 



The seed is oval and flat but varies greatly in size. There 

 is a common belief among gardeners that vines from old seed 

 do not grow so strong as those from new seed and produce 

 more fruit. This seems to be borne out by some experiments. 



Cultivation. The cultivation of the squash and the pumpkin 

 'is much the same as for cucumbers. About six sseds should 

 be put in each hill. These should be eight feet apart each way 

 for the longer growing kinds and five feet apart for the bush 

 sorts. The plants should be thinned out after they are estab- 

 lished, so as to allow two plants to each hill. They are af- 

 fected by the same insect pests as the cucumber and the same 

 remedies are in order. In .addition, however, to these, some 

 kinds are affected in the eastern states by a borer which 

 works in the stem and by the squash bug. ( See chapter on 

 insects. ) 



The early varieties of the squash are sometimes started 

 in hotbeds or cold frames to advance them and thus avoid 

 serious injury from the striped beetle. 



Harvesting. Summer squash are not grown for storing and 

 are not desirable except before the skin hardens, when they 

 are used entire. Winter squash are excellent for use in a 

 green state but are not gathered for storing until the skin is 

 hard. They should always be gathered upon the approach of 

 frosty weather, as a very little frost injures their keeping- 

 qualities, although the injury may not be apparent when 

 gathered. It is a good plan to place them in piles in the 

 field, leaving them exposed to the sun during the day and cov- 

 ering them with the vines or other material every frosty night 

 until they are thoroughly dried and the skins have become 



