28 
BULLETIN 401, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
Distribution' en 1915. 
Table B (in envelope at end of bulletin) has been prepared to 
show the actual results obtained in the various markets at different 
times during the 1915 season, in order that it may be used as a par- 
tial guide in the future. However, the figures shown in. this table 
can not be relied upon entirely, as competitive shipments from other 
points will greatly influence the results obtained. Because of a crop 
of poor quality hi the East in 1915, the competition received by 
Arizona melons was below normal. Further, in calculating the re- 
sults which may be obtained in any market, the competition from 
other western sections, such as the Imperial Valley and the Moapa 
and the Tuiiock districts, must be considered very seriously. There- 
fore, no attempt has been made to draw up any definite table of 
the consuming capacity of various markets for Arizona melons, as 
there are too many factors which vary from year to vear. However, 
a careful study of the net returns secured by the grower in 1915 (cost 
of package not deducted) should be a valuable aid in the selection 
of markets in the future. 
MOAPA DISTRICT, NEVADA. 
HISTORY. 
Commercial muskmelon growing in Nevada is confined to the 
Moapa Valley, this being a narrow valley extending from Moapa, 
on the main line of the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Rail- 
road, southeastward for about 20 miles, which is served by a branch 
line of the railroad. The district is an old one, having been shipping 
yearly since 1906. The industry has not developed rapidly, as the 
acreage necessarily is limited by scarcity of water, the entire valley 
depending on warm springs for its irrigation water. However, the 
acreage planted has increased slightly nearly every year. In 1910 
there was a decrease, due to unsatisfactory returns the year before. 
Yearly shipments since 1906 are shown in Table 15. 
Table lo. — Total shipments of musk melons from Moapa district, Nevada, 1906-1915. 
Cars. 
Cars. 
1906 
21 
15 
56 
105 
75 
1911 
97 
119 
159 
299 
276 
1907 
1912 
1908 
1913 
1909 
1914 
1910 
i 1915 
The beginning of the shipping season follows very closely upon 
that of Arizona, extending from July 7 to August 4 in 1915. The 
acreages are generally not large, the crop being handled rather as a 
side issue. Except for a small number of Indians residing on a 
neighboring reservation, no labor except that of the resident ranchers 
