MENDELISM IN MELONS. 

 David Lvmsden. 



INTRODUCTION. 



During the season 1908, Prof. H. F. Hall, horticulturist at the 

 New Hampshire Experiment Station, and the writer had various 

 discussions with reference to plant breeding, together with the 

 advisability of growing choice muskmelons in the greenhouses 

 during the summer months when the houses were not occupied 

 by carnation plants — between the months of June 1st to Sep- 

 tember 20th. Before the work had been outlined Professor Hall 

 resigned as horticulturist and the project was commenced by the 

 writer. No funds were available at that timie by which the proj- 

 ect could be carried out, so it was at first conducted privately. 



A test was first made of several varieties of muskmelons and 

 cantaloupes, some of which are mentioned in the following para- 

 graph. 



Sutton's Sujjerlative, an English muskmelon bearing fruits of 

 medium size, almost round and beautifully netted,- — no ribbing 

 being discernible on the fruits, — color of the skin green, flesh a 

 deep salmon pink and very thick, cavitj^ mediu^ii sized and round- 

 ish, seeds many and of a large size, rind or skin hard and thick. 

 Delices de la table, a French cantaloupe with a yellow or straw 

 colored skin, fruits large in size and deeply ribbed, scarcely any 

 signs of netting were noticeable on the fruits, shape of the fruit 

 obtuse-elliptical, flesh a light salmon pink and of medium thick- 

 ness, cavity large and elliptical in shape, seeds small in size and 

 not numerous, rind or skin of melon thin and soft. Other varie- 

 ties of choice muskmelons grown were Rockyford, Burrill's Gem, 

 Ford Hook, Hackensack, Honeydrop, and Jenny Lind. 



Very interesting data were obtained from this variety test 

 regarding strength and vigor of varieties, freeness regarding the 

 setting of fruits, earliness or lateness of varieties in ripening, firm- 

 ness of fruits, together with their dessert qualities. 



This project was carried on in the college greenhouses and the 

 flavor of the fruits of all varieties was much superior to the 



