SQUASHKS. 
The Squashes are an interesting and useful class of vegetables ; interesiing because present- 
ing such a variety of forms; of their usefulness we need not say a v^^ord. The Squashes are 
of tropical origin, and 
therefore it is useless to 
plant them until the soil 
is quite warm, and all 
danger of frost or cold 
nights is over; and as 
they make a very rapid 
growth there is no neces- 
sity of haste in getting 
the seed in the ground. 
We usually divide the 
Squashes into two 
classes, Summer and 
Winter. The Summer 
Squashes are eaten 
when the rind and flesh 
are tender, about mid- 
summer. The best of 
this class are the Crook- 
Neck and Scollop, and 
these are what are called 
bush varieties, and do 
not run. The Winter 
Squashes are allowed to ripen thoroughly before gathering, and are then stored away for winter 
use. A good, cool cellar will preserve these winter Squashes until May, if well ripened. The 
winter varieties are all runners, we believe. The best winter Squash is the Hubbard, fig. 1, 
and if pure and well ripened, and decently cooked, it is almost as good as a Sweet Potato. 
Fig. 2 represents the Marblehead, another excellent winter Squash, 
but we think hardly equal to the Hubbard. Fig. 3, Scollop, or Pie- 
formed, a good sort, 
and liked by market 
gardeners, because 
the rind is somewhat 
hard, and it bears 
shipping well. Fig. 
4 is the excellent 
summer Crook-Neck, one of the best, if not the best, of the whole race of Summer Squashes. 
Squashes are good feeders, and like a rich soil ; it is best to manure in the hill. Sow a dozen 
seeds in each hill, and when danger from " bugs " is over pull up all but three or four. A mel- 
low, warm soil is best. For bush sorts, make hills three or four feet apart, and for the running 
kinds twice this distance. 
SPINACH. 
To grow Spinach in perfection, the soil must be rich. Sow in the autumn for spring use, in 
good drained soil, in drills a foot apart. As soon as the plants are well 
up, thin them to about three inches 
apart in the rows. Covering with a 
little straw or leaves before winter is 
useful but not necessary. For sum- 
mer use, sow as early as possible in 
the spring. There are two popular 
varieties, the principal distinction being that one has a round seed, and the other with sharp 
points, and called prickly. These we have shown in the engraving. 
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