EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



5G-") 



(he ground. It also makes the spraying and picking easier and tlieve is 

 less danger of damage to the vines hy tramping when picking. 



Harvesting 



When the melons are to be sold on a local market they should he allowed 

 to fully riix'u on the vines. The stage of mntuvity c;in he determined by 

 the color and neltiug of the skin and the condition of the steui where it 

 connects with the melon. If the melon separates readily from the stem it 

 is considered ripe. When the melons are to he shi])i)ed they should be 

 ])icked somewhat sooner than is ndvisable for local trade. It re(piires 

 ex]>erience and practice to tell just when each melon is ready to pick. To 

 secure uniforndty of ripeness and to avoid overri])e melons the viues 

 should be gone over carefully every day. A half bushel basket is a con- 

 \('iiient gathering receptacle. 



A irood scttinsr til" Osaj 



Frcijariii;/ jar Marlivt 



Melons should be graded as to size and quality. Hand grading is done 



excei)t when the aiea grown is very hirge. In most c;ises three gi-.ides ;ire 



