The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-04
LARGE MELON CROP
NOT SAFE POLICY
Acreage That Can Be Properly Cared
for and Marketed Should Be
Planted,

The consensus of opinion OF repre-
sentatiyes Of the United States de-
partment of agriculture is that the
only safe policy for the farmers OF the
watermelon districts, mainly the Caro-
nnas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and
southeastern Missouri, is TO plant only
such an acreage Of watermelons as
they can properly care for and market,
deyoting their energies chiefly TO the
growing Of staple farm crops and the
conducting of a safe and sane policy
of diversified farm crop and livestock
production.
A cropping plan suitable for the
watermelon sections should include a
moderate acreage in watermelons, not
greater than last year, and this should
be handled in the best possible man
ner to produce high grade melons.
Growers who are in doubt about any
phase OF melon culture or disease con-
troll should Sc their county agent or
write to the United States department
Of agriculture for information.
Last year, according to crop reports,
there Were over $4,000 acres in the
United States planted to watermelons
for the market, and approximately a.
600 cars were shipped. From all OF the
old producing sections and many new
localities now comes the report that
the acreage the coming season will be
greatly increased, in some cases dou-
bled. That such an enlargement of
production would be a short sighted
business policy on the part OF the
growers, says the United States de-
partment of agriculture is clear, in the
light of the known facts regarding
watermelon distribution and consump-
ton in this country.
Owing to the present limited buying
power of a large part of the consum-
ing public, it would be folly to over
load the market with q perishable
commodity like watermelons, and es
pecially with melons of inferior quail
ity. Unquestionably, therefore, the
wise policy on the part of the growers,
says the department, would be to aim
at a high quality production and keep
the cvantity within market require
ments.
To materially increase watermelon
consumption in the cities the product
must be OF so high quality and be de-
livered to the consumer at a moderate
price. To accomplish this, better
methods of growing TO insure desirable
size, shape, freedom from disease, and
high eating quality must be employed.
The farmer who ylants a moderate
acreage, thoroughly prepares his land,
fertilizes well and thins his melons so
that they will not crown and sprays
for disease control, and who produces
approximately one-half car of high
grade melons to the acre, getting them
to market in good condition, is much
more likely to succeed than the
grower who plants watermelons as a
catch crop, gives them little attention
and overloads the market with indif-
ferent or low quality.
Control of disease plays a very i'm
portant part in the production of high
class watermelons. Certain diseases
attack the foliage, upon the normal
functtoning Of which depends the pro-
duction OF the sugar and other desira-
BILE qualities in the finished melon.
Plants on which the foliage has be-
come diseased with anthracnose often
yield no melons. or if a partial >rop is
produced the fruit is of low quality.
brings low price and frequently rots
in transit. These diseases can be con-
trolled by spraying with Bordeaux
mixture and, while the process is SIM
pie enough, the work must be done
properly and with suitable equipment
The individual growers or groups OF
growers banded together in the form
of an association, who fertilize, thin.
spray and cultivate their. watermelons
are most likely to succeed. The treat
ment of watermelons for the control Of
stem d-rot in transit has become an
accepted practice in many sections,
and wherever this disease is prevalent
growers should realize the folly of
shipping their melons without stem