Notes and Gleanings. 103 



We propose to devote a few pages each month to extracts from " The Field 

 and Garden Vegetables of America," written by Fearing Burr, Esq., and pub- 

 lislied in 1S65 by J. E. Tilton & Co. of Boston. The book being a large and 

 expensive one, it has not, probably, found its way into the hands of many of our 

 subscribers. It is, without doubt, the very best thing of the kind ever pul>lished 

 in this country ; its author having had a wide e.xperience, and an intimate and 

 thorough knowleilga of all the subjects of which he treats. We confidently 

 believe that the extracts will prove interesting and valuable to our numerous 

 readers. 



The Squ.a.sh. — All the varieties are tender annuals, and of tropical origin. 

 Tiiey thrive well only in a warm temperature : and the seed should not be sown 

 in spring until all danger from frost is past, and the ground is warm and tlior- 

 oughly settled ; as, aside from the tender nature of the plant, t!ie seed is 

 extremely liable to rot in the ground in continued damp and cold weather. 



Any good, well-enriched soil is adapted to the growth of the squash. The 

 hills should be made from eight to ten inches in depth, two feet in diameter, and 

 then filled within three or four inches of the surface with well-digested compost; 

 afterwards adding sufficient fine loam to raise the hill an inch or two above the 

 surrounding level : on this plant twelve or fifteen seeds, covering about three- 

 fourths of an inch deep. Keep the earth about the plants loose and clean ; and 

 from time to time remove the surplus vines, leaving the most stocky and vigor- 

 ous. Three plants are sufficient for a hill, — to which number the hills should 

 ultimately be thinned; making the final thinning when all danger from bugs and 

 other vermin is past. The dwarfs may be planted four feet apart ; but the run- 

 ning sorts should not be less than six or eight. The custom of cutting or nip- 

 ping off" the leading shoot of the running varieties is now practised to some 

 extent, with the impression that it both facilitates the formation of fruitful later- 

 als and the early maturing of the fruit. Whether the amount of product is 

 increased by the process is not yet determined. 



In giving the following descriptions, no attempt has been made to present 

 them under scientific divisions ; but they have been arranged as they are in this 

 country popularly understood : — 



Sutnmer Varieiica. — Bush Stim?ncr Warted Crookneck. — Plant dwarfish or 

 bushy in habit, generally about two feet and a half in height or length ; fruit 

 largest at the blossom-end, and tapering gradually to a neck, which is solid, and 

 more or less curved ; size medium, — average specimens, when suitable for use- 

 measuring about eight inches in length, and three inches in diameter at the 



