N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[BuUetin 172 



by Rane. In the first place as this melon does not show any rib- 

 bing, and secondly by its size, it being a medium sized melon, 

 averaging four to five pounds. Sutton's Superlative, as all other 

 varieties of the Cosmopolitan type, shows netting to a marked 

 degree. Delices de la table, the male parent of the hybrid, would 

 be classified as a cantaloupe, although differing somewhat from 

 the description of the cantaloupe as given by Bailey in that it 

 retains the furrowed or ribbed character, but has a soft rind. All 

 the other characters of a cantaloupe are manifest in this variety. 



Fig. 1. Cross section, of melons showing comparative sizes of cavities and 

 thickness of flesh. Seeds not removed. 



COMMERCIAL VALUE OF HYBRIDS. 



It is an undisputed fact that a melon to attain the highest state 

 of perfection should be allowed to ripen on the plant, as the qual- 

 ity of a melon thus produced will be greatlj'' enhanced, in fact the 

 acme of quality in a melon can in no other way be obtained. If 

 a fruit is picked from the vine several days previous to the ripen- 

 ing period the flavor and quality will be greatly impaired. On 

 account of having to ship muskmelons a long distance to the 

 market, and they having to pass through various hands before 

 reaching the consumer, it is highly desirable to produce a fruit 

 that would manifest to a high degree the following characteristics : 



First, — Its quality should be the highest. 



