83 



the fork to a depth of about five inches. Four seeds were 

 planted to each hill, and soon after the plants were well up the 

 soil was stirred with a cultivator, after which the weeds were 

 hoed from around the plants. 



As soon as the runners had fully presented themselves, the 

 plants were reduced to one to each hill, and the soil was again 

 cultivated, followed by the hoe, just sufficient earth being drawn 

 to the stem of the vine to prevent it being torn up by the wind. 

 I have never practiced " hilling " my squash vines, having nev- 

 er seen the need ol it. Though but one vine was left to the 

 hill, the ground was very well covered, with the exception of a 

 few square yards in the lowest portions of it. The striped bug 

 gave but little trouble, requiring but few of the hills to be 

 limed. Of the large black pumpkin bug, I have seen but one 

 specimen for the past two years. The yield of squashes was 

 about 5,600 pounds, — upward of a hundred pounds having 

 been picked before the final gathering ; — a yield of which I 

 should make no note were the season an ordinary one. 



The characteristics of the Turban are great specific gravity, 

 thickness of flesh, fineness and dryness of grain, and a sweet 

 and rich flavor, — these are usually its characteristics — the qual- 

 ity occasionally fiiUs below this standard. On the whole I con- 

 sider that the Turban in quality (it much resembles the Acorn 

 Squash) approaches very near to the Marrow when in its palm- 

 iest days, and is at present the heat fall squash cultivated, — the 

 Hubbard which does not mature its qualities till the close of No- 

 vember being still the best for winter use, — except to those who 

 prefer an exceedingly dry squash. Whether or not the Tur- 

 ban has sufficient indurability to retain its present good quali- 

 ties, and not deteriorate, like the autumnal Marrow, time alone 

 must determine. 



