^]M[AEKETI15"G Al^D DISTEIBUTION" OF WESTEKN MUSKMELONS. 15 



as close picking as possible, so that many melons are picked before 



being sufficiently mature. Likewise, there is an inchnation to pack 



melons of doubtful quality in order to produce a large number of 



crates. 



Quality of Wrapped and Unwrapped Muskmelons. 



The question of the desirability of wrapped m contrast to un- 

 wrapped muskmelons is one which has been long discussed. In the 

 season of 1915 many distributors in the Imperial Valley experi- 

 mented with unwrapped melons, with generally unsatisfactory re- 

 sults. The unwrapped muskmelons m the majority of instances 

 arrived on the market in an overripe condition. Reasons for this 

 have not been estabhshed, the most plausible theory being that be- 

 cause of the very high temperature and warm winds the moisture in 

 the melons evaporates very quicldy after they are picked. Further, 

 they change in temperature and ripen rapidly when deprived of the 

 shade of the vines. It is beheved that the paper wrap protects the 

 melons not only from the hot winds but also somewhat from a rapid 

 change in temperature between the time when they are packed and 

 when placed in the car. 



Whatever may be the reasons, it is certain that the distributors 

 who wrapped their melons had fewer complaints ' of overripe stock 

 than those who did not. One shipper decided not to wrap at the 

 beguuimg of the season, but received so many complaints that in the 

 middle of the season he decided to wrap all melons thereafter, and 

 his complaints practically ceased. Market quotations everywhere 

 mdicated a preference for wrapped stock over the ordinary un- 

 wrapped. A few market c[Uotations received are given below: 



June 21, New York: Receipts, 23 cars. Stock mostly good condition, wrapped 

 stock being given preference by the trade at higher prices than unwrapped. 



June 24, St. Louis: Three cars arrived. Standards, unwrapped, $2: wrapped, $2.25. 



.Tune 29, Kan.sas City: Unwrapped standards, $1.50 to $1.75, mostly $1.50: wrapped, 

 $1.75 to $2, mostly $1.75. 



However, the question of wrapped or unwrapped muskmelons can 

 not be dismissed without reference to one certain brand which was 

 packed unwrapped the entire season with great success, usually 

 topping the markets at prices weU in advance of all others. This 

 brand, however, was picked and packed with special care, and the 

 melons vr^ra placed under ice promptly without the usual delays. 

 This proves tliat under favorable conditions and with proper care 

 muskmelons may be packed unwrapped and shipped to any market 

 successfully. 



The fact remains tliat uruhu- the average conditions hi the Im- 

 perial Valley unwrapped melons did not prove a success in 1915, 

 and probably wiU not until picking and packing methods have Ix^cn 

 moi-c nesai'ly perfected, and ujitil the unnecessary delays between the 

 fi(;ld and iced car have been eliminated. 



