CHAPTER XXI 



SQUASH 



Squashes, in many parts of the country, are very 

 easy to grow. They lend themselves so readily to 

 ground unsuited for fine cultivation, that they are 

 a most desirable choice for all small gardens which 

 have odd corners. A place that has been filled in, 

 an ash pile, or a steep bank, will do as well to grow 

 squashes on as the level garden plot, if the hill where 

 the seeds are planted is carefully prepared and well 

 enriched. There are two distinct types of squash 

 suited to garden culture : summer squashes, which 

 do not keep long after they are picked ; and winter 

 squashes, which are gathered in the fall, to be kept 

 and used all winter. Some seedsmen are now of- 

 fering squashes which combine the qualities of both 

 these types ; but they are not largely grown as yet. 



Summer Squash 



Summer squash, if planted early in the cold frame 

 or window box, may be placed on the table early in 

 July. It is very sensitive to frost and to cold, damp 

 weather; so it must either be protected during the 



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