416 GARDEN FARMING 



to prevent an extraordinary weed growth. The scallop, or bush, 

 squashes produce a dense growth of leaves covering a restricted 

 area about the hill, and the fruits are produced near the roots of 

 the plant, while in the moschata and the maxima types the fruits 

 are produced upon the vines at some distance from the roots of 

 the plants. 



The cultivation of the bush squash differs somewhat from that 

 of the running types, because less space is necessary to accommo- 

 date the vines. The bush form can be cultivated throughout the 

 season and requires less thorough preparation of the soil previous 

 to planting. The common practice is to plant the bush squash in 

 hills 4 or 6 feet apart each way, the distance depending upon the 

 amount of ground available. The same number of seeds are used, 

 and the same preparation of the hills is made as with the vining 

 sorts. It is customary in localities subject to heavy rainfall to raise 

 the hill or seed bed somewhat above the general level of the ground. 

 Ordinarily, however, it is safest to arrange the hill or seed bed so 

 as to be on a level with the general surface of the field. 



The aim in cultivation should be to prevent weed growth, and 

 to keep a loose soil mulch about the roots to conserve moisture 

 and to induce rapid growth. 



Insect enemies. All types of squashes are attacked by the squash 

 bug, Anasa tristis DeG. This enemy, like all true bugs, obtains 

 its nourishment by sucking the juices of the plant, and is therefore 

 difficult to control with insecticides. The arsenical poisons have 

 little effect, but contact insecticides (such as kerosene emulsion) 

 and repellents (such as tobacco dust and air-slaked lime) are the 

 chief means of control. 



The striped squash or cucumber beetle, Diabrotica vittata Fab., 

 is not at all discriminating in its menu, but attacks any and all vine 

 plants. This pest is also difficult to control, and since it usually 

 appears suddenly in great numbers there is little time to apply 

 remedies after it makes its appearance. Preventive means are safest 

 and most effective. On a small scale plants can be protected with 

 hand boxes covered with cloth or wire gauze. Squares of mosquito 

 netting dropped over the plants and the edges covered with earth 

 are effective and satisfactory. Tobacco dust mulch is as good as 

 any preventive, but thorough spraying with Bordeaux mixture, 



