YELLOW BELLY BLACK DIAMOND—Variety No. 66 
This is our first time to grow and list this fine 
melon, although we have been having calls for the 
seed for the past two seasons, I do not know the 
history of the variety, but do know it is a fine 
melon, slightly oblong shape with prominant 
creases, and the darkest blue black rind I have 
ever seen, with yellow bellies where it lays on the 
ground, which makes it very attractive and out- 
standing, if you can visualize how attractive blue 
black and yellow is together, you can imagine 
how beautiful they are. 
Flesh is bright red with black seed, slightly 
smaller than the ordinary Black Diamond type, 
cutting quality is supreme; grow very uniform and 
to seventy and eighty pounds under favorable con- 
ditions; vines grow rank and vigorous, having 
large leaves which cover the melons and helps to 
prevent sunburn; good shipper with about 90 days 
to maturity. You will notice we have had bottoms 
of some of the melons exposed to the camera in 
order that you may get an idea of the yellow 
bellies. There will be about | per cent of the plants 
that will produce regular type Black Diamond, that 
I believe we can eliminate with the next two years. 
I strongly urge you to try this variety. 4 lb. $1.40; 
Ya lb. $2.65; % lb. $3.90; 1 lb. $5.00; 2 Ibs. $9.50; 
3 lbs. and over $4.50 per pound. All plus postage. 
LIBERAL PACKAGE, ANY VARIETY, 25c. Supply 
short. 
HANDLING 
The profits in watermelon growing may be 
greatly reduced, if not lost, by growers who con- 
sider their work finished when the melon is cut 
from the vine. Melons, although they have thick 
rinds, have thin skins and are tender. They should 
be handled with this in mind so as to prevent 
abrasions, bruises, cuts, gouges or cracks. Any 
blemish of a melon that breaks the skin opens a 
way for the invasion by any of a large number of 
organisms that cause it to rot while in transit. 
Labor used in harvesting melons should be care- 
fully and thoroughly instructed before they are sent 
to the fields, that the handling should be done with 
18 WILLHITE MELON SEED FARMS, Poolville, Texas 
care. Smooth out all obstructions such as splinters 
and nails in your transportation truck or car; see 
that a good solid false lining is present. 
Any bedding used should be perfectly dry, as 
moist conditions are especially favorable to dis- 
eases. Excelsior is one of the best things that can 
be used, as it is soft, clean and cheap. It should 
be carefully pulled apart as it is put in place. 
Melons should never be walked upon, even with 
the bare feet, during any of the loading operations, 
the weight causes the melons to crack internally 
and deteriorate much faster than sound melons. 
Weatherford, Texas 
