A B C OF FLORIDA TRUCKING 93 



these are the principal enemies of the cantaloupe in Flori- 

 da, it should make this new melon the most popular variety 

 €ver introduced to the Florida truckers. For home use and 

 local markets, the Redland Giant, Late Large Hackensack, 

 Jenny Lind and Montreal Market are all good. Plant noth- 

 ing but Colorado grown seed ; no matter if you have to pay 

 double the price, the crop will more than make up for the 

 difference in the price of the seed, in the quality of the 

 fruit. 



CULTIVATION, 



Give the ground frequent shallow cultivation, with a 

 tooth harrow. All that is necessary is to keep the soil well 

 open to let the warm air and sunshine in. It is a good idea 

 when the vines are about three or four feet lung, to nip 

 off the ends. This makes them put on laterals \\hich make 

 a larger mass of vines, and causes them to fruit quicker. If 

 you find the vine putting on too many small mcHns, pinch 

 off some of them; this will make the fruit that vm leave 

 larger and better. 



SHIPPING. 



Ship the melons before they are fully ripe, just as soon 

 as they are matured. Leave about an inch of stem on 

 them, as they will keep better, and when they reach mar- 

 ket the merchant can cut oft" some of the stem, making 

 the melons appear freshly picked. Pack the cantaloupes 

 in cantaloupe crates, packing each size to itself. Great 

 care will have to be used to keep from bruising them. Pack 

 the watermelons in cars, using plenty of pine straw in the 

 bottom and on the sides, also the ends of the cars. Pack 

 carefully to keep them from moving around in transit. 

 Some growers say to pack the small melons on the bottom 

 layer, as they will stand the weight better than the larger 

 ones. 



