New-York tribune., 1895-06-09
MELONS FOR THE MASSES.
FIRST ARRIVALS OF A FAvoRITE FRUIT
FROM THE SUNNY SOUTH.
TWENTY MILLIONS ANNUALLY RECEIVED IN
THIS c1TY-How THEY ARE TRANSPORTED
AND AT WHAT CosT-sOuRCEs OF


THIS cITY-How THEY ARE TRANSPORTED
AND AT WHAT CosT-sOuRcEs OF
s,PPLY-THE PULPY PRODUCT
AS A PROPHYLACTIC.
u,.arnelons have begun 10 arrive from South
ern seaports and inland centres OF production, ana
Will soon be received In large quantities Inc his'
extensive invoice will be due here on the 'iyue
Line steamship Iroquois. from JacksonVihe' f''N'
Tomorrow Although their advent. in large num-
hers is a little later this season than USUAL theS
,,,,, he IN such abundant supply within Few DAYS
that the inquiry: "Who said 'Watermiiiiohs
will be strictly in order for the next hVe months
A few small lots consisting OF hVe or siA p@iici'
of melons have been received at intervals oy iai''
for several weeks. These were virtually ohiy
snecial or private shipments. They were sold 10
wealthy epicures for prices ranging from 10 cents
to q 20 apiece but the quantity thus received ana
dsposed Of was insignificant to marx the ac'uai
openng of the or to establish market ia'e'
The coming of this juicy, palatabe ana coohhs
fruit in profusion will be welcomed by ALL pu.
especially by citizens of African descent. one OF
uhor, breaks forth into the following norid
panegyric
Ip from the South. by boat and train.
Now comes the King Of Fruits again;
Luscious Tor judge or felon.
Glorious sun-kissed watermelon
Green as emerald Its rnd
But cutting through IL thou shalt ma
Sweetest OF crimson beauty.
Tempting angel cen from duty
After a long and comparatively Unsuccessful
search for trustworthy information concerning 'ho
watermelon trade n Tribune reporter luckily ell
countered George Eggers, a battle SCARED veteran
of the Union Army. and for the last quarter OF
century or more manager for George ~ Blank, n
receiver Of large shipments OF melons from the
Sunny South at the foot Of Park Place. In an
swerlng a variety OF questions he said:
THE regular annual watermelon season extends
from about June l to the end OF the first week In
October a period OF about five months, during
which the melons arrive freely and in large guam
titles. both by steamship and railroad frlor 20
the opening Of the active season. few small
quantities are received toward the latter part OF
May. but usually considerable shipments ar
rive here before June l few days later The
frs. melons received come from Florida. whose
acreage under cultivation this season IL cSliins''l
al about four thousand. As the average yield Is
generally about five hundred melons TO the acre
when good crops are secured. the fiorida suIlny
this season will be in close APPROXIMATION TO 2e""v
melons After intervals Of wfsk or iw9 wIte5
melons are receivcl rom "eorsia SCUM .ai~',-'
North Carolina. Maryland virginia ana >e"-''r-
sey u,.. ...., .,,. - .,,rox,,r,.o ...,,,,,.
Of the number of watcrmelons annually received
in this market. my statistics arc not at hand.
about as follows: From Florida. 10000; Georgia.
l050N0co South Carolina. 2.0rVD; North Carolina.
Jersey. 100000 This gives total OF 10000
melons which come 10 this market eacn as, season.
not unlikely that. in good season. fully @g@oD
OF watermelOns received by railroad ana steam
ship. | could not attempt TO estimate the melon
crop OF the United states. winch is SIMPLY enor.
nous In some OF the Western states the yield or
melons is very large. Immense quantities OF the
finest quality raised In Missouri. but they s'l-
dom come 10 this city. as they mad market nearer
home.
''Watermelons when transported by RAIL- are
carried in ordinary box-cars, which contain about
100 melons each The freight on eacA carload re-
ceived here from Jacksonville is. in round nunbefs
500 AT the opening OF the season melons are sold
by the carload about $40 hundred, but as the
season advances and the supply becomes abundant.
prices are much lower, anC when the market is
g,utted, the melons are almost gwen away Nher
the melons are received they are carefully cuNed
and classified as primes mediums and seconds
They are sold to grOcers frut dealers hotel-kecp-
ers and others in lots ranging from one dozen 10
a large truck load. as required.
There is a wide spread. but ialla a-ious, bele' ilat
the eating of watermoons endangcrs the health.
ard Is especially liable cause internal deransc-
ment AS matter OF fact, however. one OF the
most eminent medical men In this city declares
them TO among the hcalthicst and mos !ntSDT-
ating OF fruits. II eaten, rs all irults should De
eaten only when ripe. fresh and sound, aad mat
then instead OF being deleterious TO the health,
they a perfect prOphy