LEADING VEGETABLE CROPS 24! 



or cowpeas will be scattered over the soil at the 

 last cultivation to serve this purpose. 



It is very important in marketing that the melons 

 be gathered at the right degree of ripeness. More 

 or less difficulty is experienced by the uninitiated in 

 determining this condition. The thumping method 

 so generally advocated is perhaps the most reliable 

 test after all, yet diif erent varieties respond very 

 differently to this particular test. After some ex- 

 perience in the fields, with occasional cutting, there 

 should be little excuse for green melons finding 

 their way to market. The methods by which the 

 experienced man will surely pick the ripe fruits are 

 difficult to describe, but few mistakes will be made. 

 The well-ripened fruit should give forth a somewhat 

 hollowed and distinctly muffled ring when snapped 

 with the finger. Melons with a springy, leathery 

 feel should be avoided. Watermelons are extremely 

 heavy and bulky and cannot be profitably shipped 

 by express or in broken car lots. Few melons are 

 shipped until ripe in sufficient quantities to permit 

 of car lot shipments. 



The varieties commonly grown in the principal 

 watermelon-growing districts are Georgia Rattle- 

 snake, Kleckley, Florida Favorite, Kolb's Gem and 

 Pride of Georgia. 



