as are many of the squash but insect damage is about equal. This class Moschata will as above cross 
with both C. Maxima and C. Pepo. 
Squash and pumpkins are probably native to the Americas and neighboring Islands. The 
word “squash” seems to have been derived from the American aborigines and in particular from 
those tribes occupying the northeastern ^Atlantic coast. One early writer refers to them as “squout- 
tersquashes,” a kind of melon or rather gourd, for they sometimes degenerate into gourds. The Hub¬ 
bard squash is said by Gregory, its introducer in 1857, to be of unknown origin but to resemble a 
kind which was brought by a sea captain from the West Indies. The Marblehead, also introduced 
by Gregory and distributed in 1867, is said to have come directly from the West Indies. Strangely 
enough some 70 years later we are again introducing what is known as “Yakima Marblehead,” 
a winter squash highly recommended as one of the few varieties resistant to curly top, a virus dis¬ 
ease disseminated by the beet leaf hopper. 
The annual seed consumption in the United States of both summer and winter squash is prob¬ 
ably around 500,000 pounds, produced from about 3000 acres. The principle seed producing sec¬ 
tions are in the states of California, Nebraska, Colorado and Michigan. 
Efforts have been made to classify squash and pumpkin in growers’ lists in accordance with 
their proper botanical classifications but this has only led to confusion and the plan has apparently 
been definitely abandoned. Those belonging to C. Maxima are the true squash while all others are 
rightfully pumpkins. It should therefore, be borne in mind that when two varieties are planted 
within the distance that pollen is disseminated by natural causes, the following groups will readily 
cross: Cucurbita Maxima will cross with C. Moschata, and vice versa. Cucurbita Moschata will 
cross with C. Pepo, and vice versa. No other combinations among the cucurbita will habitually cross- 
pollinate under ordinary garden conditions. (See plant breeding.) 
In our descriptions of squash, sizes and weights apply to fully matured fruits. The term “edible in 
days” means in the case of summer squash, when they are about two thirds grown. 
NINETY-ONE 
