1909. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
313 
MELON GROWING IN ARIZONA. 
The world is growing to be one great 
market. We have only to think that pine¬ 
apples are grown in Hawaii and sold at a 
profit in Chicago. The business of melon- 
growing in Colorado lias grown since 1885 
into an enormous trade. Now Arizona is 
growing melons. Last year 3t>8 carloads from 
about 1,250 acres were sent from Arizona 
and sold in eastern markets. These west¬ 
ern people are all after the cash in Eastern 
cities. The Arizona Experiment Station 
issues a pamphlet giving some facts about 
melon growing which give a good idea of 
the business : 
Climate for Cantaloupes. —The most 
important prerequisite to successful canta¬ 
loupe culture seems to be an arid or semi- 
arid climate. In such a climate, in Colo¬ 
rado, under irrigation, melons from eastern 
seed developed the superiority which gave 
rise to a new industry. An early growing 
season is an added advantage in that it 
gives the producer a wider range, in point 
of time, of markets for which to calculate 
his plantings. Dry, sunny climate, early 
seasons, fertile irrigated soils, and neces¬ 
sary commercial facilities are all to be 
found combined to excellent advantage in 
the irrigated valleys of the arid South¬ 
west. To the resulting excellence of the 
products, and its successful management, is 
due the rapid development of cantaloupe 
growing in Arizona. 
Soil. —Cantaloupes are grown to excel¬ 
lent advantage on light warm loams prop¬ 
erly fertilized by the addition of the or¬ 
ganic matter and nitrogen in which our 
desert soils are most deficient. Heavy soils 
may also be used for cantaloupe culture, 
but are less easily prepared and tilled dur¬ 
ing the ■progress of the crop. Old Alfalfa 
ground is most exceilent for cantaloupe cul¬ 
ture and well rotted barnyard manure is 
effective. Bermuda sod plowed up and ex¬ 
posed to the sun without irrigation the 
preceding Summer makes excellent canta¬ 
loupe ground, ' the intensive cultivation 
necessary serving both to benefit the crop 
and to restrain this formidable weed. 
IjAyout of the Ground. —The soil should 
be so arranged that the rows may be 
irrigated without submerging the vines and 
the fruit. One good way to accomplish 
this, and also to fertilize the soil, is as 
follows: The field is first irrigated, 
plowed, and harrowed to a condition of fine 
tilth. With a 12-inch plow, at intervals of 
six feet, double furrows are then broken 
out, going and returning along the same 
lines In the deep, wide furrows thus 
formed well-rotted barnyard manure is dis¬ 
tributed to a depth of three or four inches, 
then plowed in and the field again har¬ 
rowed level. By then plowing toward the 
middles of the spaces between the fertilized 
furrows, tie soil is finally left in oval 
ridges separated by back furrows for irri¬ 
gation. The rough furrows and ridges are 
then finished with a barrow and the newly 
prepared ground irrigated to establish the 
water line for guidance in planting. 
Seed. —Seed should be most carefully 
selected with reference to flavor and ap¬ 
pearance of the fruit ; to good shipping 
characters, including small cavities and 
heavy netting; and to a tendency to pro¬ 
duce melons of standard size. Early strains 
are desired for some situations; but in 
Arizona rust resistance is not a necessary 
character, as this class of diseases is little 
to be feared under our arid conditions. 
Seed should be purchased only from most 
reliable sources. Rockyford growers are 
at present the principal means of supply. 
Some associations go so far as to send a 
representative to Colorado to select in per¬ 
son the seed melons from which to supply 
their members. Homegrown seed in Arizona 
is sometimes sprouted and inferior, due to 
to heat to which the mature melons are 
oftentimes subjected in the field. About 
one pound of seed is required for an acre. 
Cantaloupe seed improves to some extent 
with time, and is stated by experienced 
growers to give more satisfactory results at 
two years of age than at one. 
Planting.— With irrigating furrows six 
feet apart, rows may be planted one on 
each side of each furrow. The hills should 
be 10 feet apart in the rows, “breaking 
spaces” between rows. On this plan the 
ground will be quite uniformly occupied 
tvith a distance of about six feet between 
adjacent hills. 
W itli a hoe each hill is planted by mak¬ 
ing a small furrow a foot long just above 
the water line. About 10 seeds are dropped 
in this furrow, covered an inch deep, and 
the soil pressed down lightly with the 
blade of the hoe. After early plantings, 
"hen frosts are feared, a second set of hills 
may be planted alongside the first, 10 days 
or two weeks later. When danger from 
frost is past, while the plants are still 
small they are thinned to one or two of 
the strongest to each hill. Care must be 
aken not to overcrowd the ground with 
vines as a high percentage of pony melons 
"i follow. Under Arizona conditions the 
six foot spacing of hills recommended 
anove, with not more than two plants in 
the hill, gives best results As long as the 
vines will permit, the middles should be 
kept free of weeds by means of a one-horse 
cultivator, and the furrows run through 
with a small plow after each irrigation. 
The young plants should also be hoed by 
hand two or three times. When the ground 
is once well covered with vines weeds will 
make but little headway, even Bermuda 
grass being effectually checked by the dense 
cover. 
Yields and Profits. —The average yield 
in Arizona during the season of 1908 was 
about 117 crates per acre. Skillful grow¬ 
ers frequently secure over 200 crates, and 
in one instance 345 staudard crates were 
grown by Mr. E. L. Crane, of the station, 
ou a measured acre near Yuma. The profits 
vary greatly with the grower, the season, 
and market conditions for the time being. 
Under favorable cultural conditions, with 
good markets and a well placed crop, small, 
thoroughly cultivated fields frequently yield 
gross returns of from $100 to over $200 
per acre—sufficient to leave a handsome 
profit after cost of seed, water, crates, 
wrappers and labor have been subtracted. 
On the other hand, in 1908, three of five 
Arizona associations, by reason of demor¬ 
alized markets, bad weather, scant irrigat¬ 
ing water, and unseasonable yield, con¬ 
ducted operations at a loss. Such combina¬ 
tions of adverse circumstances, however, 
are not likely again soon to occur, and the 
natural advantages of the region—long 
season, productive soil, and superior quality 
of product., insure this new industry a 
place among Southwestern farming develop¬ 
ments so long as present cultural and com¬ 
mercial conditions endure. 
Potatoes Scabby in Spots. 
How is it that you may plant a patch 
of potatoes, all the same seed and all 
planted the same day, and when they are 
dug there will be patches in the field that 
will be scabby and the remainder smooth 
and nice. l. b. t. 
Pennsylvania. 
The scab germs are carried to the soil on 
the seed. There may be only a few scabby 
tubers in the lot but where these arc 
planted, here and there through the field 
the scab germs will be found and on these 
spots the crop will be scabbby. These germs 
are probably carried about through the soil 
by the water and in time the entire field 
may be covered. 
Only 
and 
SENT DIRECT FROM 
Pounds 
Capacity 
FACTORY TO 
YOU, FREIGHT PREPAID* 
I Never before In Cream Separa¬ 
tor history could you get a high 
grade Separator — with gears 
I running In a “Bath of Oil”—the 
superior of any 8X5 to *110 Sepa¬ 
rator^ such a low.dlrect-from- 
factory price as I’ll make you. 
Save 829 to 860 this way. I 
make and sell so many I can 
afford to make the price as 
i low to you as dealers and 
jobbers have to pay In 
•rload lots—spot cash—for other high 
grade Separators. 
TAKE 90 DAYS’ FARM TEST OF A 
GALLOWAY SU&S 
“Bath in Oil” Separator 
Closest skimmer — Easiest running — Easiest to 
clean—No trouble oiling or danger of running dry 
like others, which alone Is worth 860 extra. Costs 
nothing extra on a Galloway. Bend me your name 
today so I can write you my Special Proposition, at 
the price I’m making direct to farmers and dairy¬ 
men, based on my output of 11,600 Galloways this 
year. I’ll also send you my big BOOK FKEE. Ad¬ 
dress— Wm. Calloway, Proa., WM. CALLOWAY CO. 
063 Calloway Station, Waterloo, Iowa 
You Can’t Cut Out 
A BOG SPAVIN, PUFF or 
TUOfiOUGHFIN, but 
ABSORBine 
.y, i 
you work the horse same time. Does 
not blister or remove the hair. Will 
tell you more if you write. $2.00 per 
bottle at d’lers ordeliv’d.BooklDfree. 
ABSORBINE, JR., for mankind. 
$1 bottle. Reduces Varicose Veins,Var- 
'cocele, Hydrocele, Ruptured Muscles or Liga¬ 
ments, Enlarged Glands. Allays pain quickly. 
W. F. YOUNG, P. D. F., 88 Temple St., Springfield, Mass. 
CATTLE INSTRUMENTS 
aic “Easy to Use,’ no veterinary 
experience necessary A tew dol¬ 
lars invested in our goods will save 
hundreds of dollars. Pilling Milk Fever 
Outfit (or Air treatment recommended by 
U. S. Agricultural Dept., price $3.00. .Silver Milk 
Tubes 50^; Teat Sliuer $1 50; Garget Outfit $4.00: 
Capon Tools, Horse and Cattle Syringes, all sent pre¬ 
paid with full directions. Write for free Booklet®* 
0. P. Pit, MM) A SON CO- Arch St.. PhiladalyfcU, Pa. 
Stump and Tree Pullers 
Self-anchoring and Stump- 
anchored. Something new. 
Pull an ordinary stump in J 
minutes. 1 to 5 
acres at a set¬ 
ting. Different 
sizes to suit 
all kinds of 
clearings. 
For illustrated 
catalog address 
Powerful, 
llandy. 
Low 
Priced. 
Milne Mfg. Co 860 Ninth St., Monmouth, 
The Profit 
of the Farm 
depends upon the cost of running the farm. The cost of running the farm 
is less the longer your house, farm buildings, agricultural implements and 
wagons last. 
Making such things last depends upon protection from weather, ex¬ 
posure and wear. 
The best form of protection is paint. 
The best paint is Sherwin-Williams— 
a —because it is best as paint; 
b— because each kind is adapted to a specific use. 
Paint on farm buildings protects both farm implements, stock and 
other products. No paint is good protection which is not good paint—not 
only good in itself, but good for the particular purpose. Paint that is right 
for a wagon should not be used on a barn. 
In buying paint, remember two things: to get the right paint for your 
purpose, and the best paint there is. 
Sherwin-Williams Paints and Varnishes are a farmer’s best investment 
because they have these two qualities. There is a Sherwin-Williams paint 
for every purpose—for the house and the things in the house, for the barn, 
for wagons and for agricultural implements. Each particular paint is abso¬ 
lutely the best for the purpose for which it is recommended. 
A Profitable Book Sent Free 
The farmer who has not thought much about the profit in protecting what he has, should 
write today for our book, “ Paints and Varnishes for the Farm.” He should read this book, 
examine his farm buildings, and then talk with the nearest Sherwin-Williams dealer. 
Sherwin-Williams 
PRODUCTS FOR FARM USE 
S W P. (SHERWIN-WILLIAMS PAINT, PREPARED) —for preserving good 
buildings. 
CREOSOTE PAINT j—for prolonging the life of barns and other 
S-W COMMONWEALTH BARN RED i rough exteriors. 
S-W BUGGY PAINT—for refinishing the carriage. 
S-W WAGON AND IMPLEMENT PAINT—lor preserving farm machinery. 
S-W ENAMEL LEATHER DRESSING — for renewing carriage tops and aprons. 
S-W PARIS GREEN I , ....... . . 
S-W ARSENATE OF LEAD f “ f ° r preVentmg destruction of crops by msects. 
S-W MEDICINAL LINSEED OIL — for treating and conditioning of horses and 
other live stock. 
The Sherwin-Williams Co. 
LARGEST (BECAUSE BEST) 
PAINT AND VARNISH MAKERS IN THE WORLD 
Address all inquiries to 635 Canal Road, N. IV., Cleveland, Ohio 
—NEW LOW DOWN— 
AMERICAN CREAM 
75 SEPARATOR 
Guaranteed to skim closer 
than any separator in the 
world. Sold direct from the 
factory. We are the oldest 
exclusive manufacturers of 
hand separators In America. 
You save all agents’, dealers' 
and even mail order house 
profits. We have the most 
liberal 30 DAYS’ TRIAL, 
freight prepaid offer. Write 
for It today. Our new 
low down, waist high 
separator Is the finest, 
highest quality machine on 
the market; no other sep¬ 
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close skimming, ease of 
cleaning, easy running, sim¬ 
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Our own (the manufactur¬ 
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on every AMERICAN ma¬ 
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AMERICAN SEPARATOR CO • Cambridge, N. Y. 
INUI MADE BY A iKlDr 
Nothing But 
Para Rubber 
Is used In boots that have the 
above trade-mark. The Buffalo 
Brand on a rubber boot is posi¬ 
tive proof of lively Para rubber. 
Not an ounce of re-melted “old 
iunk rubber” is ever used. That 
is why Buffalo Brand pure Para 
Rubber Boots give long, com¬ 
fortable satisfactory service, 
while boots made with other 
i kinds of rubber gum 
Iwill crack and wear 
i out quickly. Sold 
I by dealers. Insist on 
I your dealer telling you 
fall he knows about 
these rubber boots— 
| INSIST. 
Wm. H. WALKER A CO., 
77-83*0. Pearl St., 
Buffalo, N. Y.. 
FUMA 
(!■■■■■■ A 99 kills Prairie Dogs, 
“ m m Woodchucks, Gophers, 
and Grain Insects. 
“The wheels of the gods 
grind slow but exceed¬ 
ingly small.” So the weevil, but you can stop their 
*with “Puma Carbon Bisulphide are doing. 
EDWARD R. TAYLOR, Penn Yan, N. Y. 
ONE MAN DOES 
WORK OF TWO 
With Iron Age Riding Culrl- 
vntors. You can do it easier and 
better, because they are built on 
lines that make this possible. 
Hoes are under perfect controL 
Can regulate depth and 
keep lioes desirei 
tance from 
plants. More ad 
vantages in our 
1 ItliN AGE 
Book. it’. 
FREE. 
BATEMAN MFG. CO.. Box 
Oregon 
Washington 
and Idaho 
EVERY DAY 
March I to April 30, ’09 
Low One-Way Rates sue in effect 
to many points in these states 
$ 33^ from Chicago 
$ 30®° from St. Louis 
...Via... 
UNION PACIFIC 
Electric Block Signals all the way 
The Safe Road to Travel 
Ask about the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, 
Seattle, Wash. 
INQUIRE OF 
J. II. DeFRIEST, G. K. A., 
287 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 
