Evening journal., 1921-07-30
shore GROWS
BETTER MELONS
Federal Expert Asserts Sec
ton SurpasseS California
in Fruit
SUGGESTS BETTER
HANDLING METHODS

SALISBURY. Nd. July so.-sev-
erai growers OF cantaloupes who
brought loads Of green melons to
this market this week we're greatly
surprised when the buyers refused to
bid at all on the unripe product.
This was In accord with the efforts
being made 10 place the reputation
OF wicomico-grown cantaloupes upon
the highest standard and the con-
certed action Of the buyers is said to
have demonstrated that the habit OF
shipping the early plucked fruit will
be eliminated in this section. there
by greatly to the prestige Of the local
product.
In speaking OF the opportunity
growers OF cantaioupes have for
making this one Of the biggest can
taloupe sections in the United States.
/ W. r. Beattie. Of the Department OF
/ Agriculture. who is now here on a
visit looking over the situation. said
that the possibilities here are far bet
| ter than In California for growing
melons on a big scale and for maxi
/ ing this the premier market II the
growers will only give the people
what they want-ripe, sweet canta-
/ loupes.
/ Conditions Termed Excellent
This section OF the Eastern shore"
said Mr.. Beattie. "is in a position 10
grow far better cantaloupes than
California. Soil and climatic condi-
tions are much better here. and the
melons grown in Wicomico are bet
ter looking. better tasting go OF
better quality. However. to make a
real big market the growers must
not pick their melons too green, as
has been the case in many instances
in the past"
AZ an example OF how carefully
the California product is scrutinized
before being put on the market. Mr.
Beattie cited the instance where the
California State Marketing Bureau
turned down $4,000 crates OF canta.
loupes in one week because they had
been picked too green, and refused
to allow them TO be shipped.
california shipped 5000 carloads
OF cantaloupes in four weeks thil
year." continued Mr.. Beattie, "bu
this section should be able TO easill
outrival the Western State owing q
the fact that Il is within "a hour
Of the best Eastern markets. while
takes from s TO - days to bring 4
carload Of melons from the Western
Coast.
Better Methods Brought Profits.
zone firm, Of Hurlock. has made I
business for years OF shipping melon
at the right stage Of ripeness. and. a
a result Of their precaution in thi
regard they were getting 81 be
: crate for their goods when other
, were receiving about $3.50. This wa
? two years ago. but this firm stand
! high in the esteem OF the buyers be
, cause it sells only high-grade frui
well graded and properly packed"
Mr.. Beattie has offered the follow
ing suggestions to growers OF can
taloupes as 10 time Of picking: Pic
, them when the stem will break fre
from the melon by the pushing O
thumb or finger. Pick often; at leas
every other day, at first; then ever
day. and finally two or three time
. day. Melons should always be pick
ed greener toward the end Of the sea
son than at the beginning Of the sea
son. Watch your cantaloupes closel
30 they don't get over-ripe over Sun
day, and pick them on Sunday.
necessary"
Accompany Mr.. Beattie to Sails
, bury was S. B. Shaw. Of the Mary
land Extension Service, College Parl