742 
daily maximum temperature between 80 
and 95 degrees during June, July and 
August, with a night temperature seldom 
falling below 60 degrees; four months 
may mature good cantaloupes, but with 
so short a season frost would probably 
cut short the profits of the crop, unless, 
as is done in some of the Northern 
states having too short season, the plants 
are started under frames in sods or paper 
bands; second, there should be plenty of 
bright sunshine, without excessive rain- 
falls: this will secure good quality and 
lessen liability to attacks of fungus trou- 
bles that are so often fatal to the melon 
crop in rainy sections or regions of heavy 
dews; without doubt the clear bright sun- 
shine and the arid conditions of South- 
eastern Colorado account for the high 
flavor and the fine qualities found in the 
Rocky Ford cantaloupes as compared 
with the poor quality in the cantaloupes 
with an abnormal rain fall, which some- 
times occurs. oe 
Sunlight is very essential to the full 
development of cantaloupes, for the qual- 
ity is perceptibly inferior in shaded spots; 
the dry atmospheric conditions cause 
rapid transpiration of the moisture from 
the leaves, thus inducing a quick move- 
ment of sap or plant juices which in- 
creases the power to carry and deposit 
plant foods, thus developing and concen- 
trating the spice of flavor and producing 
the very highest qualities. 
We do not recommend cantaloupes to 
be planted in an orchard where there is 
any shade to speak of, as they will not 
do well. 
Plate No. 2. Contrast in Growth of Vines; 
oe pe Left Alfalfa Sod; on the Right Old 
wand. 
‘small or pony sizes. 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
Soil and Fertility 
It is conceded by all experienced canta- 
loup growers that the cantaloup thrives 
best in a warm, sandy loam; clay loam 
and other types of soil may produce a 
good crop if the tilth and fertility are 
good, but heavy soils are apt to be cold 
and backward, causing lateness in ma- 
turing, and it is also generally believed 
that the nature of some types of soils 
seriously influences the form, size and 
other qualities of the cantaloup. It ‘is 
true, however, that the average size will 
vary in different seasons; in seasons of 
very favorable growth the cantaloupes 
will run to a large proportion of “jumbo 
melons” (larger than standard); in sea- 
sons less favorable there will be more 
An actual test of 
a crop on a piece of land is the best 
proof of the fitness of the soil for that 
crop, for while a chemical analysis may 
theoretically seem favorable, in practice 
it may prove otherwise. 
There are many factors that may in- 
fluence the results, but in general the 
land that will grow other vine crops, 
such as cucumbers, pumpkins and squash, 
will probably grow good cantaloupes. 
Soil for cantaloupes should have good 
drainage, both surface and subsoil, and 
in irrigated regions the land must have 
a uniform slope or grade so that the 
water will run even, without soaking or 
flooding the hills; if there is one point 
above another in cantaloup culture that 
needs special emphasis, it is the caution 
against oversoaking or flooding of the 
surface of the field; this will be further 
discussed under the topic “Irrigation,” 
but the point must be held in mind in 
many of the operations, and in selecting 
the field, to have it well drained on the 
surface as well as the subsoil. 
detrimental soil conditions like 
or alkali, exist, the question of 
is usually the most important 
one in relation to the soil; barnyard 
manure is an old standby, and canta- 
loupes, of all crops, will respond as well 
to well-rotted compost as to any 
form of commercial fertilizer, but ex- 
perience of the most convincing sort has 
If no 
seepage, 
fertility 
