CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 427 



dead leaves to secure attractiveness when placed on the 

 market. Half-barrel hampers and light ventilated bar- 

 rels are generally used in marketing the southern crop. 

 Early summer pickings may be secured in the North by 

 sowing as soon as the ground can be prepared. 



SQUASH 



602. History. There is considerable uncertainty as to 

 the origin of the squash. Cucurbita Pepo and C. maxima 

 are believed to be natives of tropical America, although 



FIG. 99. BOSTON MARROW SQUASH 



they are not known in a wild state. East Asia is proba- 

 bly the home of C. moschata. 



603. Importance. Although the squash is a fairly im- 

 portant vegetable, it is not fully appreciated by Ameri- 

 can consumers. It is widely cultivated by home and 

 commercial producers, but large areas are not as general 

 as they should be. 



604. Summer varieties. EARLY WHITE BUSH, MAM- 

 MOTH WHITE BUSH and JERSEY WHITE BUSH (Cucurbita 



