northeastern United States. The plant is of 
medium size with heads slightly flattened and 
very solid. Somewhat subject to tip burn. This 
variety apparently needs a very uniform mois- 
ture supply and probably heavy fertiliza- 
tion. 
Imperial 847 —A lettuce of the “‘Iceberg”’ 
type selected by Dr. I. C. Jagger of the USDA 
for summer and fall production. Very sure 
heading. Heads somewhat flat but solid and 
crisp. This variety in many locations shows in- 
dications of being a more dependable cropper 
than New York 12, but is slower growing. 
Black-seeded. 
Great Lakes — A most recent introduction 
by USDA and Michigan Experiment Station 
which is outstanding in its ability to head in 
midsummer, the seed stalks developing very 
slowly even under conditions of high tempera- 
ture. It received the bronze medal award in 
the All-American new variety selections of 
1943. 
The outer leaves are light grass green, large 
with waved edges, nearly flat blade, midvein 
thick and somewhat coarse. The heads are 
large, 6 to 7’’ in diameter and 5 to 6” high, 
extremely hard and solid weighing about 2 lbs. 
each. The inner leaves are crisp and brittle, 
tightly packed and white to pale green in 
color. 
This variety is highly resistant to tip burn 
and bottom rot, but some loss may occur from 
aster yellows, the leaf hopper carriers of 
which are most numerous in midsummer. 
This is the most promising variety so far 
developed for the successful production ot 
summer head lettuce in Eastern States terri- 
tory. 
Lettuce Culture 
Early Crop — One pound of seed produces 
plants for one acre. Sow in greenhouse in early 
February. Transplant in 2-3 weeks to flats 

2 x 2”. Harden off and set in field as soon as 
danger of hard freeze is past, 12 to 18’’ apart 
in 12 to 15’’ rows. 
Later Crops — One-half ounce of seed plants 
200’ of row — 2 lbs. per acre. As early as soil 
can be finely fitted, sow 14”’ deep in 12 to 15” 
rows. Thin seedlings to 12 to 18’’. For suc- 
cession, sow at 2-week intervals to July 25. 
Field soil must be rich for good crop. 
MELONS 
MUSKMELON — SALMON FLESH 
Emerald Gem — A good home and market 
garden variety but not a shipping melon. A 
two-pound globular melon slightly flattened, 
4% by 514”, ribbed, outer color green to 
yellow and slightly netted. The flesh is thick, 
salmon-colored, sweet and the seed cavity is 
very small. 
Honey Rock — This nearly round, medium- 
size, 314 by 6’’ melon weighs 4 to 5 pounds. 
The skin is gray-green and is covered with a 
coarse netting. The flesh is thick, orange- 
salmon in color and has a typical musky flavor. 
A home and market melon but not for long 
shipment. 
Hale’s Best 112 —One of the best early 
market melons. Fruits oval, very slightly 
ribbed, and the hard rind is heavily netted, 
making it a good shipper and attractive in ap- 
pearance. The flesh is very thick, sweet, free 
from stringiness and a rich deep salmon color. 
The seed cavity is small. Recommended for 
New England and northern Pennsylvania. 
Hale’s Best 36 —One of the best early 
market melons. Fruits nearly spherical, slightly 
ribbed and have a heavily-netted hard rind. 
The flesh is rich salmon color, thick, sweet, 
and free from fiber. A popular melon for ship- 
You saw this one last month — but 
take John Andrew’s word for it: Oak 
Leaf lettuce belongs in your garden. 
* 
ping. Recommended for southern Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware and Maryland. 

Hearts of Gold—A very popular mid- 
season variety for home or market garden use. 
Fruits are practically round, 6’’ in diameter, 
weigh 4 lbs., distinctly ribbed and covered 
with a fine gray netting. Flesh is very thick, 
deep pink-salmon, tender and sweet, having a 
characteristic musky flavor. 
Iroquois — High flavor with a very sweet 
salmon flesh. Ripens about the same time as 
Bender’s Surprise, which it replaces because of 
its resistance to fusarium wilt. A little smaller 
than Benders but a vigorous grower. Espe- 
cially recommended for the New England states 
for a mid-season variety. 
Pride of Wisconsin — An extremely high 
quality, large, oval, heavily-netted, salmon- 
fleshed cantaloup. The flesh is firm, sweet and 
most appetizing. An excellent market as well 
as home garden variety. Fruits are from 6 to 7” 
long and almost as wide. Potted plants set 
out at our trial grounds on June 7 produced 
melons by August 15. Plant with caution north 
of Massachusetts. Well recommended for 
Pennsylvania, Delaware, and points south ol 
Massachusetts. 
Muskmelon Culture 
One-half ounce of seed plants 100’ of row 
— 2 to 3 lbs. per acre. For early forcing start 
under glass in veneer bands or pots about April 
1, develop slowly and transplant after harden- 
ing about May 1-15. Plant outdoors May 15 
to June 1 either in rows or hills 1’’ deep. If in 
rows, make rows 5’ apart and thin plants to 
12”’ apart in the row. If in hills, make hills 
4 x 6’ apart, allowing 3 or 4 plants to the 
hill. 
WATERMELON 
White Mountain — This is an early small- 
fruited variety developed by the University of 
New Hampshire, adapted to many areas for- 
merly considered too cool for watermelon pro- 
duction, such as much of central and northern 
New England and the higher elevations of 
Pennsylvania. On light soils in central New 
England, ripe melons have been harvested by 
August 1, 70 days after planting seed, with 
continued production until frost. In warmer 
areas this melon does not do as well. Fruits are 
about 6’’ long by 5’” in diameter and weigh 
3 to 5 lbs. The rind is thin and brittle and 
will not stand shipping or rough handling. ° 
The color is light green with irregular darker 
stripes. The flesh is medium red, crisp and 
sweet. It deserves a trial in the areas where 
adapted as described. 
Northern Sweet — Flesh deep orange-red 
and very sweet. Fruits average 8 to 10 lbs. and 
are globular, dark green striped with medium 
green. An early and prolific variety introduced 
by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment 
Station from Siberia. Rind is thin but tough. 
Seeds are white. 
