THE SQUASH. Ill 



bugs and other vermin is past. The dwarfs may be planted 

 four feet apart ; but the running sorts should not be less 

 than six or eight. The custom of cutting or nipping 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 laterals 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 : 



Summer Varieties : 



Plant running, not of stocky habit, but Apple Squash, 

 healthy and vigorous ; fruit obtusely conical, 

 three inches broad at the stem, and two inches and a half 

 in depth ; skin yellowish- white, thin and tender while the 

 fruit is young, hard and shell-like when ripe ; flesh dry and 

 well flavored in its green state, and often of good quality at 

 full maturity. 



The fruit is small ; and, on this account, the variety is 

 very little cultivated. 



Plant dwarfish or bushy in habit, gener- Bush Summer 

 ally two feet and a half in height or length ; 

 fruit largest at the blossom-end, and taper- 

 ing gradually to a neck, which is solid, and \VAK?E V D s c 



* , . HECK. 



more or less curved ; average specimens, 

 when suitable for use, measure eight inches in length, and 

 three inches in diameter at the broadest part ; color clear, 

 bright yellow ; skin very warty, thin, and easily broken by 

 the nail while the fruit is young, and suitable for use. As 

 the season of maturity approaches, the rind gradually be- 

 comes firmer, and, when fully ripe, is hard and shell-like ; 

 flesh greenish-yellow, dry, and well flavored ; seeds small, 



