10 The Colorado Experiment Station. 
No. I), which can easily be told by observation; in this stage it 
should be emasculated, before the pollen lobes are ripe. By cutting 
around the base of the corolla and calyx, the two may be removed 
with the stamens attached, leaving the pistil free and exposed. 
(Plate II, No. II and IV.) A small paper sack is then tied over 
the stem to protect the pistil from foriegn pollen until the following 
morning, when the stigma will be at about the same stage, as if 
the flower had not been disturbed, and ready to receive the pollen. 
The desired pollen is introduced from a fresh opened flower, 
by pulling off the corolla the stamens are exposed, showing the 
ripe pollen grains which are transfered by touching the ripe pollen 
lobes to the pistil or stigma until it is well covered with the yellow 
pollen grains. The paper sack is then replaced for several days 
until development begins. 
SUMMARY. 
The general conclusion of* the investigation is that systematic 
seed breeding will intensify any desired qualities found in canta¬ 
loupes, as well as in corn and other crops. 
The essential points for breeding cantaloupes are: 
1. Keeping- records that will establish the history of a plant at 
any time. 
2. Close observation to detect desirable variations. 
3. Individual selections. 
4. Comparative testing to determine relative merits. 
5. Judging" the average results of a selection rather than the be¬ 
havior of an individual in it. 
6. An understanding of physiological botany, in order to perform 
successfully cross-pollenization when necessary. 
' The principal points, or unit characters to consider, might be 
enumerated as follows: 
1. Germinating vitality. 2. Vigor of growth. 3. Early setting. 4. 
Quick maturity. 5. Prolific yields. 6. Uniformity of the desired qualities 
in the product. 
The standard for the Rocky Ford Cantaloupe of today might 
be^ given to include the following qualities: 
1. Proper size to pack in the standard crate. 
2. Fine, heavy, light grey netting, covering the entire melon. Plate 3. 
3. Color character of the background or interstices between the net¬ 
ting, such as will indicate to the eye, by a slight change of tint, when the 
cantaloupe is ready to pick, which is rather an olive green, and one that 
does not turn yellow fast. 
4. A thick flesh and solid filled seed cavity. (Plate 4, No. 2.) 
5. A Arm, smooth texture, flne grained and free from any fiber or 
water-core. 
6. A green colored flesh is usually preferred, though commonly it 
is combined with orange or salmon tint. 
7. The flavor is the ultimate test; it should be rich, sweet and 
spicy, free from any disagreeable consistency or after tastes. 
If the same care and attention was paid to the breeding 
and growing of improved cantaloupes, or other crops, there would 
be a great demand for pedigreed seed, as well as the call for regis¬ 
tered horses, sheep or cattle. 
