The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-20
Melons in Georgia.

melon Of Georgia is but the
limit of transportation facilities In
successfully growing melons, the varied
climates, the different soils. the different
methods of preparing the soil and the diff
ferent modes of cultivation are all factors
n be considered in discussing this subject.
First then as to the different varieties of
the plants themselves. 1t is evident that in
plants. and particularly in the watermelon,
there is a constant tendency to deteriorate,
m return to the lower and least perfect
forms. | know that since l have been
growing these melons, | will say since the
year 1873, l have had to renew the seeds
three or four times because there is a con-
slant tendency to hynridize, and if you
wish to keep your stock pure you will find
that it requires the most constant care and
udicious selection of seeds in order that the
iittest may survive. Nothing in nature,
with which 1 am acquainted hybridizes
easier than the watermelon. Therefore, if
YOU propose to grow melons only for domes-
TIC consumption or for local market, my
advice to you is raise but one variety. Make
YOUR selection and when that is decided on,
cultivate that and only that one variety.
A hybrid melon is almost invariably poor
melon.
There are a great many varieties of
melons raised IN Georgia. l hear a great
deal in particular of two new species or
varieties. One which is known as the
Price melon have never seen, but it is
highly spoken of by those who are familiar
with it. The old ''rattlesnake" melon is
grown with us quite extensively. l will say
chat it is a fine melon. 1t is tolerably pro-
life, fairly so, an early ripener, a good eat
ing melon and one of the best melons to
pack in car to ship, But the second and
most popular variety grown for shipping is
the "Kolb Gem" 1t is large oval-shaped
melon On thin lands it is the most prolific
melon grown, will make a better yeield,
and, as a shipper, it has no equal, and by
keeping it in dark and dry place they may
be preserved until Christmas. For these
reasons it is a very popular variety. There
is but one drawback, and that reminds me
of what little boy said at dinner table
when apologizing for eating so much gutta-
uercha pie He said, 81 do love to eat this
pie, there is so much good chewing in it. "
There is lois of good chewing in these
melons, but if you let them get fully ripe
before cutting them they are very good
eating.
The third and last variety l shall call
your attention to is the Zones" melon. 1t
originated with me in the year 1878.
have had some of them that measured fifty
four inches around and that grew to weigh
SO pounds.
This variety of melon on highly fortified
land is the most prolific melon know any
thing of. 1t cannot, however, be shipped
TO as much advantage as the ''Kolb Gem. ="
They can be shipped i'll four layers and will
bear it. These melons may be shipped in
fewer layers, or can be shipped on the top
of the ''Kolb Gems" Put two layers of the
"Kolb Gems" on the bottom and then top off
with these.
do not think that this variety of melon
can be successfully cultivated very far
north. If taken much above Columbus
and Macon, I do not believe it will pro-
duce satisfactorily. l have a nephew in
Coweta county, and he had to renew the
seed to keep up the variety.
We have in Southwest Georgia a much
warmer climate and earlier seasons than
Middle and North Georgia, and this gives us
a great advantage We have also the adj
vantage of Florida, because the melons
there are ready for market too soon. The
people of the north will not buy melons
until the weather gets comparatively warm
nm Tho Elny.iha malone in
while it is yet almost winter in the north,
and they will not buy them so soon. Our
melons come in just as the weather is get
ting warm IN the northern states, and come
on the market when there is the best de-
mand for them.
My advice to you is, if you are going to
raise watermelons to ship north, raise the
"Kolb Gem" But if you are going to use
melons yourself, or sell them in your local
market, then l would advise you to raise
the Jones' melon.
You all know that it takes a light sandy
soil to raise melons on Our soil in South
ern Georgia is generally adapted to their
growth, but there is a great deal of soil in
Middle Georgia almost if not quite as well
adapted to the growing of melons. Upand
down your creeks and branches, and espe-
cially where the narrow leaf blackjack
grows melons will grow and do well.
tits anabsolutely indispensable condition
that land, to successfully grow melons, must
have in it an abundance of vegetable mat
ter. You cannot have too much of this
The more the better. / know a field that is
now producing fine melons for shipment.
Pea vines were turned under in the winter,
and the vegetable matter has kept them
bearing.
The best yield from six acres that have
known was six car loads, netting the pro-
ducar 5000. If your land has not al
ready got a large amount of vegetable
matter in it, you must supply it.
The cheapest and best method is to supply
1t with the COW pea..vine. Sow your land in
rye then fill it with peas. Turn the pea
vines under, and, if you can repeat this for
TWO years, you can make crop of melons.
oats are not so good as the rye. Our thin
pine lands won't bear melons.
The soil must be thoroughly broken up
even our sandy land must be thoroughly
oroken-and if that is so, of course your
tougher soil must be more completely pull
Verzed. Your stiff lands ought to be sub