THE CANTALOUPE GOES TO WAR 
N a “total war” every activity must be planned so as to have a bearing upon 
the outcome. Some activities may have a very direct bearing, while others may 
have an indirect effect in resulting victory. But whether direct or indirect, no 
activity can be really justified if it does not assist our country in winning this war. 
The production of food, of course, has a very direct effect on the outcome of 
the war. In the production of food the cantaloupe has a place of greater importance 
than is generally recognized. On the chart on the opposite page, taken from the 
United States Department of Agriculture reports, is shown the food values of 
several of the most important vegetables. We have reproduced this chart so that 
you might see for yourselves the vitamin content of a serving of each of these 
vegetables. Believing that this chart would be of value we have taken space in 
this manual to present it for you. From this chart you will be able to determine 
the vitamin value of the vegetables that you produce and hence be able to place an 
estimate upon their relative importance in the production of food for victory. 
We suggest to the cantaloupe grower that he make a comparison of the canta- 
loupe with the other vegetables that are listed on the chart. First note that there 
is not a single vegetable that is highest in every catagory. ‘Spinach is highest in 
vitamin A, but peas are highest in vitamin B-1, and peppers in vitamin C. On the 
other hand note that some vegetables rank well in every column a'though they may 
not be the highest in any single vitamin. Asparagus is one of these and loose- 
leafed lettuce another. Now note how well the cantaloupe compares with the 
other vegetables in vitamin content. It does not have the highest vitamin content 
in any one instance, but in every case it stands a favorable compariscn. Of the 23 
vegetables listed the cantaloupe is better than 11 of them in vitamin A. It is as 
good or better than 7 of them in vitamin B-1l. The vitamin content of cantaloupes 
is equal to or better than that of 16 of the 23 vegetables, and in vitamin G it ranks 
above 12 of them. In making a complete comparison you will find that the canta- 
loupe ranks 11th on this chart in total vitamin content. 
When the grower makes these comparisons he readily sees that in growing 
cantaloupes he is making a direct contribution to the food supply of the nation. 
In these times of rationed goods, we find the cantaloupe in a unique position. 
It is one of few fruits and vegetables that can be enjoyed without the addition of 
rationed sugar. Thus the cantaloupe immediately assumes an important role in 
serving the American table and at the same time conserving the use of the valuable 
but limited sugar ration. For this reason the government has urged a continuing 
production of cantaloupes. 
We have here presented the case of the cantaloupe in our wartime food pro- 
duction program. Although we are in the business of growing and selling cantaloupe 
seed, we are not urging any spectacular increases in the cantaloupe acreages. 
While such increases would result in increased sales for our business, we believe 
that they would not be justified in these war times. We believe, instead, that a 
balanced program of production will be of the greatest value in providing food for 
ourselves and our allies. And we also believe that, as demonstrated on the chart, 
the cantaloupe has a very definite contribution to make to our food supply. 

