366 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



of an acre in cabbage 16 crates weighing about 175 lbs. per crate were obtained. 

 The cost of production is placed at $40 per acre. The season for string beans was 

 unfavorable. From one-fourth of an acre 18 bu. was obtained. The price received 

 averaged 50 cts. per bushel net; and the a »s1 « >f growing an acre is placed at about $20. 



From one-eighth of an acre of radishes 820 bunches containing 6 to 10 radishes per 

 bunch were obtained. The first planting of bush Lima beans proved unsatisfactory. 

 From the second planting made the first of June 24 bu. of dry shelled beans were 

 obtained, worth $2 per bushel. The expense of growing muskmelons is placed at $30 

 per acre and watermelons at .$20 per acre. From 3 to 5 salable watermelons were 

 obtained per hill. The melons were of good size, averaging 24 lbs. per melon. No 

 shipments were made. 



Squashes cost about $20 per acre. Early Bush yielded about 70 bu. and Crookneck 

 about 66 bu. per acre. One small shipment of Early Bush netted about 75 cts. per 

 bushel crate. One-eighth of an acre of okra Was grown but no shipments were made 

 of this crop. Considerable quantities, however, were successfully canned, the result- 

 ing product being of high quality. By keeping the mature pods pulled off the crop 

 lasted through the entire season. About 60 bu. per acre was obtained. 



Peas were grown only on small areas. They did so well, however, that one small 

 shipment was made which sold for 50 cts. per bushel. The yield of onions was at 

 the rate of 86 bu. per acre which had a market price of $1.50 per bushel. The results 

 of variety tests with a number of the vegetables mentioned above are included in 

 the notes, as well as the results of variety tests with peaches, plums, apples, pears, 

 strawberries, and figs. 



In the canning experiments two $10 outfits were used, each having a capacity of 

 300 2-lb. cans and 200 3-lb. cans per day. With these 2 outfits the cost of canning 

 600 2-lb. cans of tomatoes daily was placed at $21.40. The net price for the canned 

 product was 70 cts. per dozen or $35, leaving a balance of $13.60 per day. The cost 

 of 400 3-lb. cans of peaches was 820.40. These sold for $1.75 per dozen, or a total of 

 $58.33, leaving a net balance of 837.93 per day. 



Pears were found even more profitable than peaches, since a bushel of pears filled 

 an average of 24 3-lb. cans, while a bushel of peaches filled only 16 3-lb. cans. It is 

 believed that canning may be profitably employed in utilizing the surplus that can 

 not be profitably shipped to market. 



Where king watermelon reigns supreme (Cal. Cult, 24 (1905), No. 19, pp. 435, 

 450, fig. 1). — The author of this article made a trip to the Glendale-Burbank melon 

 section in the region of Los Angeles, and describes the methods of watermelon cul- 

 ture followed in that district. 



The vines are planted 12 by 12, 10 by 14, and 8 by 16 ft. apart, each of these dif- 

 ferent distances having adherents. The Chilean White is the variety chiefly grown. 

 In addition a few Georgia Rattlesnakes and Kleckley Sweets are grown. Before 

 planting the seeds are soaked for about 12 hours in warm water and most growers 

 sprout them before planting. 



Sprouting is accomplished by digging through a pile of warm manure down to the 

 ground, spreading the seeds in sacks so that they are about 1 in. deep, covering them 

 with warm manure, and leaving them there until sprouted, after which they are 

 planted immediately. Where manure is scarce a fire is sometimes built on the 

 ground to warm it. The ashes are then scraped away and the seeds buried in the 

 warm earth, being covered as before with manure to prevent the escape of heat. One 

 large grower sprouts his seed by placing them in Mason jars and keeping them in 

 warm water. By this latter method it requires on an average about 36 hours to 

 sprout the seed, the time varying with the temperature of the water. 



The seeds are planted mostly in raised hills or on backfurrows. Cultivation con- 

 sists in keeping the weeds down and preserving a dust mulch. The vines are also 

 compacted in the center of the rows as much as possible to shade the melons and 



