172 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



The following amounts of fertilizers will give the prob- 

 able desired amount of each element : 



Pounds to the Acri: 



650 to 1000 cottonseed meal ; or 

 400 to 600 dried blood ; or 

 300 to 400 nitrate of soda ; or 

 200 to 300 sulfate of ammonia. 



Ammonia 



Phosphoric acid . 600 to 750 acid phosphate. 



Potash 



1000 to 1500kainit; or 

 160 to 225 muriate of potash ; or 

 160 to 225 high-grade sulfate of potash ; or 

 300 to 450 low-grade sulfate of potash. 

 Planting squashes. 



The hills are planted 4 by 4 or 8 by 8 feet apart, accord- 

 ing as the plants are of the bush or running class, and the 

 seed dropped directly in the field, about 2| pounds being 

 required for an acre. There is less danger from insects 

 than in the case of cucumbers. It is well to drop about 

 six seeds to the hill and when the danger from insects is 

 past, thin out to one or two plants. 



When a crop is wanted early, it can be obtained by 

 following the directions given under the discussion of 

 cucumbers. One should begin with a 4-inch pot, however. 

 Some gardeners cut sods, turn them upside down, and plant 

 seed on these in a coldframe or hotbed. This practice 

 works very well with those who give careful attention to 

 the growing of squashes, but with the novice, it fails 

 oftener than it succeeds. The one important point to be 

 kept in mind is, that the plant should never be checked 

 in growth. 



