22 CIECULAK XO. 113, BUREAU OF PLAXT INDUSTRY. 



ity is not large. Water should be applied often enough to keep a 

 steady growth, which can be hastened by frequent cultivation. 



Too much water in the ripening period tends to retard ripening 

 and reduce-s the sweetness of the melons. 



Harvesting and jnarJceting. — Development of melon growing depends 

 as much on proper care m picking and packing as upon growmg. 

 Only the best product carefully selected and neatly packed will justify 

 shipment. The California product comes on much earlier and only 

 an extra quality ^\'ill uisure sale late in the season when the Nevada 

 crop matures. Watermelons should be ripenmg freely by August 15, 

 for the late crop sells at low prices or can not be sold at all. Musk- 

 melons can be sold successfully until October if the weather is such 

 that the crop holds up in quality. They should be handled carefully 

 and wrapped in paper in the packmg shed, being then packed in 

 crates 1 foot by 1 foot by 2 feet, outside measure. A crate of this 

 size holds about 60 pounds. Watermelons for short shipment are 

 packed m larger crates, but if the market will justify they are sliipped 

 loose m car lots. 



[Cir. 113] 



