Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-05-22
Pumpkins and Squashes-

In the New England and Middle
States and some portions OF CanaGs.,
great attention Is given to raising
pumpkins and squashes. Their culture
Is generally neglected in the West ex-
cept BY persons who have moved from
the East and still have faith in the
minor crops. In Southern Michigan
and Wisconsin, where farmers are in
clined to make the most out of THEN
land. they are raised in quite large
Quantities They are sometimes
planted in fields devoted to cOrn. q
seed being placed in each third OF
fourth hill The vines do not generally
make much grO-E;h until the use Of the
cultivator I. discontinued. In many
cases they are planted In 4 field BY
themselves. II IS usuas 70 plant them
in hills eight feet apart each way. II
the ground Is quite rich no manure i3
applied II il Is not a spade IS used 70
make an opening for the hill. which Is
partly filed with compost. well rotted
stable manure or other good fertilizers
Hen manure, hog dung. ashes and bone
meal are excellent substances to apply.
The ground between the hills is kept
free from weeds BY the use Of the cult
vatOr. Not more than three plants
should be allowed to grow in each hill,
although Il is best 10 plant i've or six
seeds. as some of the plants viii be ui-
promising. while some of them may be
destroyed by bugs while they are still
small There is much less trOuble with
insects when many pumpkins and
squashes are planted than when there
are but few plants These plants re-
quire less cultivation thzn almost any
crops raised in the field or garden
Pumpkins and squashes NAV be raised
60 excellent advantage on the sides Of
hills on ground brOSen TO admit OF
easy cultivation. and on the places that
have neel occupied by hay-stacks and
manuhe-heaps II place three or four
feet square be well prepared for the
hill. the remainder Of the ground need
not be disturbed The vines will do
quite a. well if they run over barren
ground or rocks rs over the best Of soil /
They are not adapted 10 shady places /
or ground that is hard and cold. They
are very useful for feeding to all kinds ]
of stock duriag the fall and the early
part of the winter. Many of the long I
keeping varieties of squash may be |
kept al winter by taking pains in har- 1
veSting and storing them In harvest /
ing them care must be taken not "a |
break the stem of, rs to do so would |
insure the rOtting of the squash !. is
best 10 carefully cut the vine where the /
stem is attached to H. Care must also 4
be taken not 10 bruiss them. They |
should be kept in toierably dry place 4
where there is no danger of frost. They /
may be fed very literally to all kinds /
of animals during the month of No
vember. They viii make cc~s continue
90 give milk long after the frost has put
. stop 10 the growth of grass in the pas
tures. They will help cattle and sheer
20 lay on fat Store hogs will eat them
raw, and those that are faitening will
derive great benefit from them when
they are cooked. They aid digestion,
and are very valuable to feed in con-
nection with corn That good beef and
mutton can be made from sqaashes and
grass has been demonstrated by many
farmers. Squashes aad pumpkins are
very valuable for fowls during winter.
They require seme fresh food. and in
many places it is easier 10 supply them
with squashes than with any other fruit
or vegetable.
Pumpkins have recently given place
70 sguashes as articles CT food for men.
The latter are now generally used for
making pumpkin pies" and are also
boiled AMI served with meat. The vari-
cites of squash furnieh an excellent sub
stItute for the sweet potato. They NAV
be boiled or baked Large quantities
Of squashes are now dried and canned
for use during the winter and spring.
and there is quite q demand for them
tor export The consumption OF
squashes in cities has increased very
last during the past few years. During
some seasons il IS difficult to supply the
demand Not infrequently are squash
rs sent from tnis part Of the West 10
Boston and cities in the New England
States When the crop is failure else
where on account of the droEght or
lther causos. Western growers have
realized very high prices. Every
Tear the pie-bakers in this city pur-
,hase squashes by the ton. and some
lines BY the carload Considering the
,ase with which they are raised and the
uses TO which they 2re put. il
'eems remarkable that 81 little atten-
ion was raid to their production. -Cs
ago Times.