Family Cucurbitacese 227 



the melon, leaving a cuplike cavity and tearing with 

 it none of the rind. When shipping long distances 

 the melons are picked on "half slip," in which case 

 only part of the stem pulls away from the fruit, the 

 rest breaking. It is essential that the fruit be 

 handled carefully in the field, avoiding bruises and 

 cuts. At the packing shed, the same care should be 

 observed. 



c. Care in Packing. Good shipping also depends 

 on careful packing. Only standard containers for 

 shipping should be used. The crate has become the 

 standard container for shipping melons. Crates 

 should be made of clean, smooth, strong lumber, with 

 all knotty and cross-grained slats discarded. Dirty 

 and second-hand crates should not be used. Crates 

 used in the field in harvesting should not be used 

 for shipping. 



d. Need of Grading. Up-to-date growers take pains 

 to grade their product carefully before packing. 

 A careful grading excludes melons which are poorly 

 netted, also known as "slickers." It is also essen- 

 tial to exclude melons which are cracked, bruised, 

 diseased, ill-shaped, over ripe, as well as those that 

 are immature and those with soft stems. In pack- 

 ing, melons of the same size and grade only should 

 be put in the same container. 



e. Care in Handling. In hauling melons from the 

 packing sheds to the car, only wagons with good 

 springs should be used. Hauling wagons should also 

 be provided with tarpaulin covers to protect the fruit 

 from the sun, rain, or dust. The crates should be 



