176 



sections use the climax baskets for the smaller types 

 of melons. The shallow crate holding only one 

 layer (usually 10 to 15 melons) is also used in many 

 places. 



Yields vary greatly, but from 100 to 300 crates 

 or from $200 to $500 gross income per acre will 

 generally be considered good returns. The melon 

 admirably lends itself to forcing conditions, but 

 while this crop has been grown to a considerable 

 extent in the greenhouses and conservatories of 

 country estates it has not become generally grown 

 under glass for commercial purposes. When peo- 

 ple come to better understanding and appreciate 

 the quality of the fruit grown under forcing con- 

 ditions, the larger markets will afford a splendid 

 -demand for this crop. It can be made to take the 

 place of cucumbers under glass after lettuce, in 

 a very satisfactory manner, and if demand could be 

 stimulated sufficiently to justify its growth it would 

 become valuable to the greenhouse manager in 

 helping him to solve one of his most serious prob- 

 lems, namely, diversity of crops. 



Insects and diseases are frequently serious and in 

 many locations have practically eliminated the 

 profitable culture of the melon. The striped cu- 

 cumber beetle seems to be especially destructive 

 upon the cantaloupe. It may be controlled by the 

 methods described in connection with the cucumber. 



The mildew and wilt are generally more serious 

 on the melon than the cucumber, frequently causing 

 very heavy looses. The wilt is particularly 

 destructive and remains in the soil from year to 

 year. Rotation of crop is the only effective method 

 of control. This disease not only causes the de- 

 struction of the plants any time after they appear 



