232 KITCHEN GARDEN. 



this -can be had. The hills maybe heaped up about 

 six inches above the common level of the ground. Eight 

 or ten seeds may be put into the middle of each hill, a 

 few inches apart, and covered with about half an inch 

 of loose earth. 



When the growth of the plants has sufficiently ad- 

 vanced, thin out so as to leave but three or four in each 

 hill. The beds are to be kept well hoed and cleared of 

 weeds. For the purpose of strengthening the vines, 

 gardeners recommend what they call " topping," which 

 consists of pinching off the end of each plant when it 

 has made four or. five rough leaves. This makes them 

 branch out and bring their fruit earlier. After the 

 runners are spread out, no farther, culture should be 

 given. Particular care ^should be observed to keep 

 these melons separated from cucumbers, gourds, and 

 plants of a similar family, as otherwise great deteriora- 

 tion will result. 



Pumpkin [Cucurhita Pepo). — Many varieties of 

 these are cultivated in America, such as the Mammoth, 

 or Spanish, Connecticut Field, White Bell, &c. The 

 larger sorts, some of which have been found to weigh 

 two hundred and fifty pounds, are only fit to feed pigs 

 and cattle. Pumpkin seed are generally planted in 

 May and June, in the.carn-fields, the hills being raised 

 between the corn-rows, and made from eight to ten feet 

 apart. The culture resembles that of the Cantaloupe, 

 and they are not by any means so particular in their 

 choice of soils as melons. The Cashaw Pumpkin is a 

 variety resembling the Winter Squash, and is the best 

 variety for table use and making into pies and pud- 

 dings. 



