Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-10-07
CantalOupe Notes.

CantaiOupc Notes.
C. n. Hansen Of Newdale has proved
the wisdom Of planting small aeresges Ct
eantaloupes- Last year from hvs acres
he sold 1896 worth Of the valleys great
speciality. His success. and that Of other
growers. used many farmers to plant
very large acreage. The large crops did
not get the attention which was given the
small aereages. and. when the time Of
picking came. there was difficulty in Sc
curing competent piekers. Ono grower
with large acreage said TO the Enter
prise that he had lost 81 900 during the
early shipping season because he could
not secure skilled and honsst-working
p ieksrs. Mr.. Hansen was not, however
unduly excited over his big success Of
1908. as this season he again planted on
ly FIVE acres. From this small hsid he
sold almost $500 worth Of esnta-
loupss. which Is In marked contrast with
the results from some Of the large acre
ages
4 few days since the Enterprise was
permitted To examine the commission
mans returns received by one Of our
growers. The figures covered the entire
season. including the big prices OF the
early shipmhnss and the low figures Of the
lattsr part Of the season. Over half the
number Of crates included In the returns
were ponies. After dedueting the cost Of
crates and per cent. commission the
grower had . net return Of 81 cents per
era,s. And as he Is only one Of . large
number Of shippers who got the same re-
turns. Il will be seen that the crop was
not complete failure along the line.
There seems To bs = constantly widen
ing competition &c the Rocky Fords. Dur
ing the past season more localities have
attempted TO grow eantaloupes from
Rocky Ford seed than ever before. And
the fact that one house hero has an order
for 1900 pounds Of seed and another for
$500 pounds. indicates that tho compoti-
ton Is to continue. About tho only way
to head Il OF Is TO so handle tho Rocky
Fords as TO make them far superior in
favor TO all other competing melons. To
effect this esntaloupe culture must be
confined to small individual aereages and
the utmost caution taken that mono but
ripe and perfect melons be shipped. Jus.
now crisis Is pending in tho eansaloupe
business and some radical measures mus.
be taken 70 remedy the costly blunders OF
the past season.
The ean.aloupe season has come TO an
inglorious. and. generally. unproa;able
close. Tho shipments from tho valley ag-
grega,ed about 1900 car loads. being al
mos, 400 cars more than last wear. and
while few growers have made money
tho grea, ma lority have found tho season
decidedly Improbable. Tho causes have
been overprodue;ion. too large Undivided
aereages. tho shipment Of unripe stock.
loose inspection and lack Of corporation
among shippers in tho distribution Of tho
crop IN the eastern markets. Much Of tho
mismanagcment Of tho season OF 1904
growers to appoint some ono man or COM
nit,ee TO have supreme authority In all
details Of picking. packing and shipping.
To promote tho highest good OF the indus
try there should be central power which
can prevent tho picking and shipment OF
melons no, A. for market, and supervise
tho distribution throughout tho east
In considering the great disappoint-
mcnt OF eantaloupe growers this season
the unpleasant results should not be
charged against our soil and climate. The
eantaloupes were grown in greatest
abundance and the same can be done ev-
cry year. The trouble was in gatting tho
crop into the hands Of the consumers in
good condition and in the right quantities.
While some reform is needed in tho mat
ter OF seed. the greatest elminators Of
profit have been unbusinesslike picking.
Grating and marketing.