738 
Cantaloup Culture 
Introduction 
The cantaloup in its season is  prob- 
ably the most popular fruit on the Amer- 
ican table, appearing prominently on 
every first-class menu. 
The total consumption in the United 
States, amounting to ten thousands of 
carloads, besides the local home-grown 
product which can hardly be estimated, 
indicates an industry of great impor- 
tance. 
From the growers’ standpoint, however, 
the story of the melon industry is filled 
with disappointment and failures, diffi- 
culties and disheartening returns, which 
are all but discouraging at times, yet 
each season some growers are making 
a decided success of the crop, either 
through a better experience, more fa- 
vorable conditions, or exceptional oppor- 
tunities. Although the grower himself 
may not always realize the determining 
elements of his success yet to a careful 
observer it is evident that many of the 
factors that cause failures in cantaloupes 
could be overcome by a better grasp of 
essential points; for instance, a_ better 
knowledge of the experience of other 
growers, a fuller understanding of the 
needs of the markets, the best methods 
of harvesting and handling the crop, 
and the most favorable system of mar- 
keting for the highest returns. 
The various cantaloup districts of the 
United States have been canvassed for 
any new information on cantaloupes, and 
this information has been embodied in 
this article covering the most essential 
points in regard to good seed, cultural 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
care, harvesting and marketing, also ex- 
perience and suggestions on insects and 
plant diseases. 
Points for Commercial Growers to 
Consider 
In order that preparation may be made 
for a better appreciation and understand- 
ing of some of the determining factors 
that may result in success or failure in 
cantaloup growing consideration is asked 
of the following questions: 
First, Are your seasons long enough, 
and the climatic conditions favorable 
for cantaloup growing? 
Second, Are you accessible to markets, 
or good railroad facilities? 
Third, Will your cantaloupes come in 
competition with those from other dis- 
tricts and cause a glutted market? 
Fourth, Have you some peculiar advan- 
tages which will enable you to meet com- 
petition? 
Fifth, Have you had experience in han- 
dling cantaloupes, and do you _ realize 
that it requires under favorable condi- 
tions 100 to 150 acres to profitably ship 
in carload lots? 
Sixth, Have you any marketing agencies 
to assist in disposing of your crop, or 
will you depend upon open consignments? 
Seventh, Have you considered your 
market demands as to varieties, and do 
you know what strains of seed would be 
best adapted to your conditions? 
BKighth, What importance do you place 
on good seed breeding? Do you know 
that common, ordinary seed may produce 
as fine specimens as the best seed, but 
that the well bred seed will produce a 
greater per cent of uniform, marketable 
cantaloupes? ; 
Ninth, Are you aware that the highest 
grade of seed can not insure you a crop 
under adverse conditions, of weather, poor 
soil or careless management? 
Tenth, Do you realize that one failure, 
or even several, does not prove that suc- 
cess is not possible? 
It is not our purpose to call attention 
to all the possibilities of failures nor sug- 
gest all the points of encouragement, but 
if a grower can realize the = essential 
