10 BULLETIN" 401, V. S. DEPAETME.'f T OF AGEICULTUEE. - 



profitable, and if melons Tary from this size they should run larger 

 rather than smaller. A few jumbos €an be marketed to advantage^ 

 although these generally do not average as high in price as stand- 

 ards. Figures covering the net returns of one large distributor for 

 the entire season of 1915 indicate that the average net returns per 

 crate for jumbos was 76 per cent of the price realized for standards. 

 Probably this may be accepted as typical when a fairly heavy supply 

 of jumbos is moving. There is no basis for comparison between 

 ponies and standards, as pony shipments were discontinued on ac- 

 count of low prices after the first few weeks. It can be said, however, 

 that ponies are seldom profitable after a few early shipments. 



Netting. — In addition to uniformity in size and shape, a thick, 

 heavy netting, entirely covering the melon, is desired. Ideally, this 

 should be so thick and heavy and stand out so prominently that the 

 ground color of the melon is hardly visible. Such netting is consid- 

 ered an indication of good carrying quality and is therefore preferred 

 by dealers. 



Cavity. — The muskmelon should be thick walled, with a small 

 cavity, and the texture of the meat should be fine grained rather 

 than coarse. The seed should be attached firmly to the wall of the 

 cavity. ^Melons of this character have been observed to possess 

 somewhat better carrying qualities than those with large cavities 

 or coarse flesh. Early varieties are generally less satisfactory as to 

 cavity than those maturing somewhat later. 



Color of fiesh. — During 1915 another factor in determining popu- 

 larity was the coloring of the flesh. Green-meated muskmelons with 

 a pink or salmon-colored lining were most in demand, because of 

 their pleasing appearance when cut. A number of strains of melons 

 with this pink lining were used, and the distributors securing the best 

 results usually shipped such melons. Certain strains of pink-meated 

 melons which were used in 1915 possessed most of the characteristics 

 essential to high quality. 



i^Za-yo?'.— Flavor is the determining factor in quality. A muskmelon 

 may arrive on the market in splendid condition and with fiaie appear- 

 ance, but will not give satisfaction miless its flavor is good. In fact, 

 all other desirable characteristics are of importance only as they are 

 accepted as indications of fine flavor or table quality. 



Varieties. — The various factors of quality which have been described 

 are all more or less characteristic of specific varieties of melons. In 

 1915 three varieties of green-meated melons were widely used in the 

 Imperial VaUey, these being the Early Waters and various strams 

 of the Eden Gem and Pollock. The Early Waters ripened early, 

 and therefore some sold at the early high prices, but after it came 

 into competition with other varieties it was at a disadvantage l^ecause 

 of its poorer quality, the high percentage of ponies produced, and its 



