SiSrEKETIXG AXD DISTKIBUTIO^^ OF WESTERN MUSKMELONS, 31 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The question of distribution is fully as important in Turlock as 

 elsewhere. The 1915 season was the first in which ixiuskmelons from 

 this region were shipped successfully to eastern markets in any con- 

 siderable quantities. Because of the scarcity of good melons in the 

 East at precisely the time when Turlock was shipping, and because 

 of the lateness of the Rocky Ford season and the poor quahty shipped 

 therefrom, the Turlock district practically had the market to itself 

 so far as muskmelons of high quality were concerned. 



As a result of these Conditions, the returns were remarkably good 

 and the season yery successful. However, it remains an open ques- 

 tion whether Turlock melons can invade the eastern markets and 

 pay a profit to the growers in normal seasons, when a fair quantity 

 of good local melons are available. 



Table D (in envelope at end of bulletin) has been prepared to 

 show the net returns received by the growers on the different 

 markets of the United States from day to day. This table covers 

 practically the entire shipments of the season and contains figures 

 covering approximately 1,400 cars of the total number of 1,554 cars. 

 The only information available in each case was the net return to 

 the shipper and the manifest of the individual cars. The manifests 

 of the cars were reduced to a basis of standards by considering ponies 

 equal in value to 70 per cent of a standard and by considering flats 

 equal to 33J per cent of a standard. The total standards secured 

 by such a method were divided into the net amount received by 

 the distributor, and this is taken as a net return per standard. In 

 each case the distributor's or association's selling charge must be 

 deducted from the figures cpioted in order to secure the net amount 

 to the grower. Since selling charges vary, distributors' commissions 

 have not been deducted. The figures quoted in each instance are 

 averages; that is, the various brands appearing on one market for any 

 one day were averaged together. 



This table is presented merely as a basis of comparison between 

 various cities and as a record of the season's results. It should not 

 be accepted as an assurance of what may be expected in other seasons 

 with the same volume of shipments, as conditions in competitive areas 

 were not normal in 1915. The next season may show entirely dif- 

 ferent results, but the chart may be used as an index of the com- 

 parative success with which different markets were used in 1915. 



COLORADO DISTRICT. 



HLSTORY. 



The Arkansas VaUey district of Colorado is the oldest, and for 

 many years was the heaviest, wcjstern muskmclon-producing aica in 

 the l.'nited wStates. It is divided into two distinct sections, the 



