SQUASH 195 



frequently happens during a wet spring, make the 

 hills and plant the squashes there. The big squash 

 leaves will soon cover the ground and master the 

 weeds, producing a good crop, and greatly improv- 

 ing the land for the next year. 



Culture. — The squash crop is easy to handle, 

 as there is little to do after the vines start, except to 

 keep the ground well worked till the leaves cover it. 

 Plant ten or a dozen seeds in a hill and thin out the 

 plants, leaving not over two. In planting squash, 

 put in a few radish seeds also to tempt the black 

 flies or striped beetles from the squash plants. If 

 these winged pests are too numerous, the screens 

 may be used, as planned for cucumbers. If the soil 

 is rich, the big squash sprout usually grows quickly, 

 in spite of their attacks. 



If the vines are running rather long, as the growing 

 season advances, cut off the ends. This will give 

 the fruit more strength for growth, and will keep the 

 vigor for the new squashes rather than for more vines. 



Gathering Squashes. — Squashes are not hurt 

 by a Hght frost, but it is just as well to have them 

 under cover when frost is expected. Cut them from 

 the vines, leaving the stem of the squash in its place. 

 Do not cut it shorter than three inches. They may 

 then be placed on a sunny piazza for a week or two. 

 Throw an old blanket over them, if the night promises 

 much frost. Then, when the fires are started in the 

 house, put them in a dry, warm place where they can 



