SQUASHES, HOW TO GROW TIIEM, ETC. 53 



Hubbard and Turban. The cultivation of the Yokohama 

 is mostly confined, as yet, to private gardens. 



Para, or Polk Squash. — This is a half-bush squash. 

 In the first stages of its growth, it has a bush habit, and 

 sets its first fruit like a bush squash, but later it pushes 

 out runners eight or ten feet in length, and bears fruit 

 along them. The squash was brought to this country 

 from Para, in South America. In shape it is oblong; 



PARA, OR POLK SQUASH. 



it is ribbed, of a tea-green color, excepting the portion 

 which rests on the ground, which is of a rich orange 

 color. The squashes weigh about three pounds each. 

 They require the whole season to mature, and when 

 in good condition, the flesh is dry and of a rich flavor. 

 Like the Yokohama, I apprehend they will be very popular 

 with a class, rather than with the community at large. 

 Both the Yokohama and the Para can be kept well into 

 the winter. I have kept a Yokohama, crossed on the 

 Turban, fourteen months, and Hubbards, in two instances, 

 twelve months. 



THE SUMMER SQUASHES. 



The remarks made relative to the cultivation of the fall 

 and winter varieties, will apply to the cultivation of the 

 summer squashes, with the exception of the distance be- 

 tween the hills; this, as they are of a bushy habit, should 

 be about five feet. In quality, the summer squashes have 

 but little to recommend them ; it is principally their fresh, 

 new taste that makes them acceptable for the table. South 

 of New York, the cultivation of squashes is confined al- 



