284 



SqUASH. 



To save seed, — " To obtain seed of the round-leaved, 

 leave a sufficient quantity of established plants in April, 

 May, or June, to run up in stalks ; or transplant in autumn 

 some of the spring-sown which have not run. To save 

 seed of the triangular spinage, transplant, in March, some 

 good strong plants, of the winter crop. For large supplies, 

 a portion of each may be sown in February, or the first 

 fortnight of Pvlarch, to stand wholly for seeding. Sow each 

 sort separate. Respecting both sides, observe that they 

 are of the class Dmcia^ the male and female flowers grow- 

 ing separately, on two distinct plants. When the plants 

 are flowering for seed, the cultivator should examine wheth- 

 er the male plants, distinguishable by the abundant farina 

 upon the blossoms, stand crowded or numerous to excess ; 

 in which case he should pull up the superfluous plants, 

 leaving a competency for fertilizing the female blossoms, 

 which else would prove abortive. And when the female 

 blossoms are set, it is best to dispose of all the male plants^ 

 drawing them by hand ; which will give more room to 

 the females to grow^ and perfect their seed. The plants re 

 jected may be profitably given to young pigs. The seed 

 ripens in July and August." — Ahercrombie, 



Use, — The leaves are used in soups, or boiled alone, and 

 mashed, and served up with gravies, butter, and hard-boiled 

 eggs. The leaves may be obtained from sowings in the open 

 ground at most seasons of the year, but chiefly in spring, 

 when they are largest and most succulent*" — Loudon, 

 " According to the opinion of French physicians, this plant 

 is not only food, but physic, and is hence emphatically 

 called ' Le halai de Vestomac'' — the broom of the stomach 

 ' — sweeping and deterging every hole and corner of that 

 organ, without giving pain, or in any degree interrupting 

 the ordinary avocations of the persons employing it." — 

 Armstrong. 



SQUASH. — Ciicurhita melo pepo. — The squash is a 

 species of the cucurbita^ and seems to be the link whi^h 

 connects the melon and pumpkin. 



The varieties mentioned in Russell's Catalogue are — 



Early bu?h summer ; Commodore Valparaiso; {grows large, 



Long" crook-neok, or bell 5 and is highly esteemed ;) 



Vegetable marrow j Canada crook-neck 5 [small, and of 



Acorn j ' superior quality.) 



" Squashes, of every kind, may be cultivated as directed 

 for cucumbers and melons — should be sow^n at the same 

 time, and at similar distances, wdth this difference, that two 



