MELONS 

 Chas. D. Barton, Maklton, Burlington County, N. J. 



LOCATION 



In the production of melons we are dealing with a group of 

 plants that are almost semi-tropical in their natural habits, and in 

 our temperate climates they thrive best in warmest weather. 

 They will flourish in moderate droughts, but an excess of mois- 

 ture retards growth, and cool nights are frequently a cause of 

 failure. A full appreciation of these facts is the foundation on 

 which a successful melon grower must depend for the solution 

 of the problems that may confront him. 



Earliness is an important factor, both from the standpoint of 

 the financial return and the greater ease with which the fungous 

 diseases can be controlled. Advantage should be taken of any 

 aid which tends to advance the time of ripening. 



The selection of the ground is of prime importance to this end. 

 It must have good drainage, so that the excess moisture of a 

 heavy rain can rim off quickly. For the canteloupe a sandy loam 

 gives best results, while the watermelon does best in the very sandy 

 soils. A location sloping slightly to the south, or protected from 

 cold north winds, has an additional value. 



VARIETIES 



The selection of varieties must be determined by the demands 

 of the market to be supplied. In a general way markets are 

 now demanding a medium-sized canteloupe, and the elongated 

 shape, or Rocky Ford type, is the most popular. Some trade 

 demands the pink, while others still prefer the green-fleshed vari- 

 eties. The Sugar Sweet has with us proved a profitable green- 

 fleshed variety, combining quality and earliness with good crop- 

 ping; and in our experience is more blight-resistant than any 

 pink-fleshed variety. 



The Tom Watson watermelon has become very popular in the 



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