as well netted. However, earliness has been sacrificed to 
some extent by the increased netting. 
If it were possible to grow the Persian and Casaba 
melons in other states than California and Arizona they 
certainly would be valuable additions. Being long keep¬ 
ing (until December at least) then would have a great 
popularity. Excessive humidity seems fatal to their 
growth. 
Melons of the Bender’s Surprise type continue to 
displace the older varieties. Bender’s Surprise has a re¬ 
markably strong rind, thick flesh, and is well netted and 
early. It will also produce as many fruits as any other 
Muskmelon. The quality is very fine. Its popularity has 
increased at the expense of varieties like Tip Top, Osage, 
etc. 
WATERMELON 
The Agricultural College of the University of Cali¬ 
fornia is doing some fine work in adding wilt resistance 
to several important watermelon varieties; notably Klon¬ 
dike. Wilt is more common and prevalent than is gen¬ 
erally supposed and is responsible for more trouble in 
raising watermelons than any other one thing. Pride of 
Muscatine continues to be the best resistant variety so far. 
The Red Seeded Striped Wichita or Hutchinson 
watermelon, which also has other names, is one of the 
finest melons for quality that we have grown. Somewhat 
oblong, striped very distinctly it is early, prolific and of 
remarkable quality. It has displaced even Stone Moun¬ 
tain in many sections. It is not particularly attractive in 
outside appearance but its wonderful quality certainly is 
of the best. 
Dixie Queen has small white seed, oblong in shape, 
fair size with vivid striping, mostly a light green. It is 
the closest approach to a “seedless” watermelon we have 
grown. The rind seems very brittle and we question 
whether it will stand much shipping. 
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