WATERMELON 
If possible, watermelons should be planted on new ground each 
year to avoid build-up of disease organisms in the soil. Insect 
control and pollination factors are the same as for cantaloupes 
and cucumbers. Use ALANAP for weed control. 
Weight 
Variety Days (pounds) Shape Rind Flesh Remarks 
Blacklee \Cw.t:) st; eae ec 95 30 long, thick dark green; thin, bright red; good Wilt-resistant. 
tough texture and flavor 
COnEO ane. eo i ee 90 35 semi-long dark green with dark- bright red; firm, See below. 
er stripes; tough sweet ; : ; 
IDFRGE TOMEI cocccnosesccocesnr 85 30 oval-round light green, dark bright red; crisp, A wilt-resistant strain also 
stripes; thin, tough free from fiber available. 
Florida Giant (Cannon Ball, 95 40 near-round _ deep green, tough red; firm, coarse See below. 
Black Diamond ) 
Garrison (Coker, Darlington, Dove) 85 35 large, long creamy green, dark bright red; sweet Important shipper. 
stripes ; ae ‘ P 
Hawkesbury, Purdue Strain (w.r.) 85 35 large,long —_ gray-green, tough, dark pink Superior to original in uni- 
hard formity, resistance. 
KECK ey ssn C CHa 85 30 oblong, dark blue-green, bright red; tender | Local market. 
slight taper thin, tender sweet 
New Hampshire Midget ....... 65-70 4-6 oval-round light green, dark strawberry red; See below. 
stripes, thin, brittle good flavor | 
Rivodesls ands XC di ee 75 8-12 semi-long greenish yellow, dark bright red; solid, See below. 
stripes, thick, tough crisp, sweet 
Stones Our aimee eln eee 90 35 thick oval medium green, thin, rich scarlet Good market garden type. 
tough 
Omg WiatSOn mney eee 95 35 large, long dark ey tough deep red; coarse A standard shipper. 
White Mountain ........ 65 5 oval-round light green, dark red; sweet Midget type. 
stripes 
RHODE ISLAND RED. Introduced by the 
Rhode Island A.E.S. in 1953. Has the 
flesh color and tough rind of Dixie Queen 
with the earliness, high quality and size of 
Honey Cream. Fruits are medium sized, 
blocky oval, weighing about 8-12 lbs. The 
rind is tough and stands rough handling 
very well. The flesh is red, crisp and of 
excellent flavor. Rhode Island Red meets 
the need of northern growers for a high 
quality, red-fleshed, early variety. 
CONGO. Recently introduced by the U.S.D.A.; particularly 
valuable for its resistance, though not immunity, to anthrac- 
nose. The fruits are large, semi-long, dark green, with darker 
irregular stripes. This new variety has won favor among many 
growers in southern areas and has been well received in 
northern markets. 
28 
NEW HAMPSHIRE MIDGET. A new vari- 
ety in the “ice-box” group, developed at 
the University of New Hampshire. Of in- 
terest to market growers in all regions for 
its handy size. Its earliness makes it par- 
ticularly attractive for short season areas. 
The vines are vigorous and prolific; the 
fruit round, quite small, with very thin, 
brittle rind. Flesh of good flavor but some- 
what coarse and fibrous with rather large 
seeds and many of them. 
sds 
FLORIDA GIANT. An important commer- 
cial variety, popular in the leading melon 
growing areas for its heavy production 
and good shipping qualities, though in- 
ferior to some other varieties in texture, 
interior color, and flavor. The AsSGROW 
pedigreed strain is notably superior to 
others in uniformity of size and shape and 
in relative freedom from whiteheart. 
DIXIE QUEEN. A prolific and popular variety for shipping. 
The fruits are oval-round, light green with dark green stripes. 
The rind is thin, but tough. The flesh is bright red, crisp, and 
quite free from fiber. A wilt-resistant strain is also available, 
similar to the original, though more uniform in size, redder 
in color and a better shipper but with larger seeds. 
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