CANTALOUPE GROWING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



By R. G. hill, Assistant Horticulturist. 



The importaBce of the cantaloupe as a truck crop in the eastern sec- 

 tion of this State has not been generally recognized by the State at large. 

 It is one of the important crops grown, both commercially and for home 

 use. It is a popular crop, the reason for its popularity being the ease 

 with which it is handled, the ease of production, and the demand for 

 the fruit itself both in the home and the distant markets. 



It is grown for home use in all sections of the State, but is grown 

 commercially only in the eastern or coastal plain section. The centers 

 of production, at present, are in Moore, Scotland, and Robeson counties ; 

 Wake, Duplin, and Wayne, and Warren counties. These counties seem 

 to be particularly well adapted to the melon industry and ship annually 

 the largest proportion of the crop groAvn in the State. . 



Notwithstanding the fact that the cantaloupe is so generally grown, 

 many growers are not familiar with the best cultural methods, and as a 

 result many inquiries as to the best methods of cultivation, handling, 

 etc., are received by this office. In order that these requests may be 

 more fully answered, the essentials of successful culture are discussed 

 in the folloAving pages. 



Among the many conditions necessary for the profitable production 

 of cantaloupes for the commercial market, special study must be given 

 to the type of soil, climate, and shipping facilities. 



The soil should be preferably a sandy loam which will admit of early 

 and frequent cultivation. It should be warm, fairly rich, with plenty 

 of moisture, but under no consideration should it be wet. 



The climate should be warm enough to allow a steady growing sea- 

 son without a check, for when the plants are once checked in growth 

 they begin to deteriorate and will not produce fruits of high quality. 



Shipping facilities should be adequate in order that the crop can be 

 placed on the market in the shortest possible time after it is picked. 

 Without these three important factors, the possibilities of establishing 

 a paying cantaloupe industry would be greatly lessened. 



SOILS AND THEIR PREPARATION. 



While cantaloupes will grow on nearly all types of soil, a well-drained 

 sandy or sandy-loam soil with a clay subsoil is ideal. Experience has 

 proved that cantaloupes will thrive best on light sandy loam. Other 

 types of soil will produce good crops, provided they are well drained and 

 in good tilth ; but the clayey types are inclined, on account of their cold- 

 ness, to produce the crop too late for the distant markets. There seems 



2 — Aug. '15. 



