CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 429 



earliness, due to planting under glass, is probably more 

 marked than with any other cucurbit. The plan is pop- 

 ular for the summer crookneck type. 



When planted in the open it is customary to sow lo 

 to 12 seeds in each hill, enriched with two or three fork- 

 fuls of rotten manure, and then to thin to two or three 

 plants. Squashes are also planted in drills and thinned 

 as may be desired. The bush types of patty pan and 

 crookneck are generally planted 4 x 4 or 4 x 5 feet apart. 

 The winter or running varieties need as much space as 

 pumpkins and watermelons. Distances vary from 8x8 

 to 10 X 12 feet, depending upon the fertility of the soil 

 and the vigor of the varieties. Figure 99 shows a field 

 of Boston Marrow in Massachusetts with 12 feet between 

 rows. 



607. Marketing. — For local markets, summer squashes 

 should be harvested before the rinds harden to any con- 

 siderable extent. When to be shipped long distances, 

 they must be fairly ripe in order to stand transportation. 

 The barrel is the standard package for handling this 

 vegetable. 



608. Storage. — Successful storage depends largely 

 upon proper methods of harvesting. The fruits should 

 be removed with short stems before hard frosts arrive. 

 They must be handled with the greatest care and placed 

 promptly in heated buildings, which are often built for 

 the purpose. It is customary to store squashes in bins 

 or on racks, where, with the temperature above 50, they 

 may be kept until May or June. Sweet potatoes and 

 squashes are sometimes stored in the same house. 



609. Enemies. — The common squash bug (Anasa tris- 

 tis), which is so well known, is one of the worst insect 

 enemies. The pests are unusually resistant to insecti- 

 cides. Anything which is strong enough to kill the in- 

 sects will also injure or destroy the vines. Hand pick- 

 ing of the insects and the eggs is effective but tedious. 



