Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-23
Pumpkins and Squashes.

In tho New England and Middle
States and some portions OF Canada,
great attention is given TO raising
pumpkins and squashes. Their culture
is generally neglected in the West OK
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 their
land, they are raised in cutie large
quantities. They are sometimes
planted in fields devoted to corn, a
seed being placed in each third OF
fourth hill The vines do not generally
make much growth until the use of the
cultivator is discontinued. In many
eases they are planted in a field by
themselves. 1t is usual to plant them
in hills eight feet apart each way. Ii
the ground is quite rich no manure is
applied. Ii it is not a spade is used to
make IN opening for the hill, which is
partly filed with compost, we'll 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 Guilt
vator. Not more than three plants
should be allowed TO grow in each hill,
although it is best to plant five or six
seeds, rs some OF the plants will be I'M
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
A hfrN LOW rnln fIhnun rNln 60
quire less cultivation than almost any
crops raised in the field or garden.
Pumpkins and squashes may be raised
to excellent advantage on the sides of
hills, on ground broken to admit of
easy cultivation, and on the places that
have been occupied by hay-stacks and
manure-heaps. If 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 as well if they run over barren
ground or rocks as over the best of soil.
They are not adapted to shady places
or ground that is hard and cold. They
are very useful for feeding to all kinds
of stock during the fall and the early
part of the winter. Many Of the long
keeping varieties of squash NAV be
kept al winter by taking pains in har-
vesting and storing them. In harvest
ing them care must be taken not to
break the stem of, as to do so would
insure the rotting of the squash. 1t is
best to carefully cut the vine where the
stem is attached to it, Care must also
be taken not to bruise them. They
should be kept in tolerably dry place
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 will make cows continue
10 give milk long after the frost has put
a stop to the growth of grass in the pas
lures. They will help cattle and sheep
to lay on fat. Store hogs will eat them
raw, and those that are fattening 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 squashes and
grass has been demonstrated by many
farmers. Squashes and pumpkins are
very valuable for fowls during winter.
They require some fresh food, and in
many places it is easier to supply them
with squashes than with any other fruit
or vegetable.
Pumpkins have recently given place
to squashes as articles of food for men.
The latter are now generally used for
making pumpkin pies" and are also
boiled and served with meat. The yari-
cites of squash furnish 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 demand for them
tor export The consumption of
squashes in cities has increased very
fast during the past few years. During
some seasons it is difficult to supply the
demand Not infrequently are squash
es sent from this part of the West to
Boston and cities in the New ENGLAND
States When the crop is failure else
where on account of the drought or
other causes. Western growers have
realized very high prices. Every
year the pie-bakers in this CITY pur-
chase squashes by the ton, and some
times by the carload Considering the
ease with which they are raised and the
numerous uses to which they are put. it
seems remarkable that so little atten-
ton was paid to their production. -Cks-
cago Times.