Imperial Valley press., 1921-10-19
PRECEDING
SUGGESTED
CURE FOR
EVILS
Horticultural Commissioner
Waite Goes Rough Shod
After Melon Growers Who
Try to Beat Inspection
Service.

"Most Imperial valley taloupes
during the season Of 1921 were picked
and shipped too green. On many oc-
casions only four or five melons out of
crate were fit to eat when received
on the other end" This was the
startling statement made by F. W.
Waite-startling because he is the
horticultural commissioner of Imperial
county. and on him rests the RESPONSE
bility for the enforcement of the stand
ardization law, supposed to prohibit
the shipment Of green cantaloupes
among other things.
Waite described the various ways
by which it is alleged experts arrive
at the proper state of maturity. "Just
as soon as they show little sugar,
off the vines and into the crates they
CO." he declared, whether they are
really fit for the market or not" He
paid his respects to the wrapped can
taloupes in language that did not
mince words. Wraps are used to
cover up cantaloupes that won't bear
close Inspection" he said, adding that
no good reason for wrapping exists
since the government tests have de-
termined the practice to be injurious
to the keeping qualities of the fruit.
He indicated that the horticultural in
spectors have not time to unwrap and
inspect every individual melon In the
crate. When they are visible. the
general character Of the contents may
be more easily discerned.
Grapes must have certain per cent
age of sugar before they can be ship
ped, under the state law. Canta-
loupes are judged by cutting open
selected specimens, the outside color
the net and similar indications gov
erning thereafter if the selected was
good. No hydrometer test has been
devised for melons. Hence the annual
wrangle every year among the leaders
of the industry concerning the proper
stage of maturity. Usually some of
the newer distributors rush the season,
thereupon forcing the hand Of the old
er distributors, who should and DO
know better but who declare they
must protect their trade.
Mr.. Waite doesn't attempt to shirk
the responsibility for the green mel
ons that leave the Imperial valley.
He points to his efforts to prosecute
and the convictions obtained after
much difficulty. But he does believe
that under existing methods Of hand
ling melons, it is exceedingly difficult
to ascertain the stage at which the
cantaloupes will carry best to the
eastern markets any yet not spoil i'm
mediately upon exposure after days
passed in refrigerator car.
To overcome the difficulty, Mr..
Waite suggests that the preceding
system must eventually be adopted.
Then, he says. cantaloupes can be
picked in a much ripper condition, pre-
cooled and sent east, to reach the con-
sumer's home in thedition that rem
ders them favorite on the breakfast
table. In the northwest preceding
has enabled the raspberry and other
berry growers to send their product
east.Not many years ago, this would
have been deemed impossible.
If the melons are picked well rip
ened, shot into the preceding plant
within an hour or an hour and half
from the time they are picked, first
class product can be placed on the
consumers table, Waite insists.
With a preceding system In use, the
horticultural commissioner declares
the cry of reproduction would cease.
The Commissioner declares his be-
lief of the practical impossibility Of
determining whether cantaloupes are
sufficiently sugared to ripen enroute
under present methods Of picking, and
before they begin to color or slip.