The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1924-08-13
'Fanon Melons
Heavy In Sugar
Test Show That Can.
taloupes Lead Over
Coast. Name Sought

been over the fields giving the first
tests to the present cantaloupe crop.
1t was announced some time ago that
Professor Dinsmore had hopes of be-
ing able to carry out this work, not
rs legal measure in any sense. but
as a help to the growers of melons
over the project. 1t is realized that
some melons have In the past been
picked and shipped that should have
remained on the vines for finishing
This has in some instances resulted
in unfavorable reports 1t was to as
sist in this correction that the plan
Of testing melons was spoken of and
tie coming of a representative to go
over the fields should be appreci-
ated.
Tests made at over a dozen of the
farms this week have shown some
remarkable sugar contents results.
Melons have been taken from the
vines in the full slip condition, half
slip and three-quarter and tests have
followed. The half slips have shown
content ranging about 101a per
cent In sugar, while full slip melons
have given tests as high as Ia u. per
cent and only partial survey has
been made of the fields. Undoubt
edly some higher tests will be found.
At previous date melons from
California that are shipped in under
the name of Heart of Gold were test
ed at Reno and in no instance did
they show the sugar content that has
been found by official tests
Efforts have been made to use the
Fallon grown Heart of Gold seeds in
other localities In an endeavor to
duplicate the melon grown in this
valley, but in no instance has it
equalled the parent stock. II is the
belief of the melon men here from
Rocky Ford and Imperial Valley that
the soil and climatic conditions have
much TO do with this melon which is
now becoming a commercial product
on the Newlands project. The fact
that other sections have advertised a
duplicate is the best eviednee that
it was worth copying.
Melons sent here from a section in
California where an attempt will be
made to duplicate this cantaloupe did
not carry the sugar content nor the
color, yet the seed was shipped out
and from selected stock. Tests made
in Reno of numerous melons from
varied section over California re-
suited in low sugar contents and in
some instances the melons were CON
demned.
This seasons work on testing
should give the farmers and growers
a better idea of the right time to
pick, how to handle the crop and it
will also bring before the people the
fact that the sweetest cantaloupe
grown in the United states is turned
out on the Newlands project.
The plan as adopted by Professor
Dinsmore. as first stated is not Of
flcial and is not intended to hamper
either growers or packers. but will
insure a better grade of melons leav-
ing for export and make shippers
safe in the assurance that they are
sending out the best product possible
from their fields
Should Adopt Name
Mr.. George Schweis, who is here
representing the pure food depart
ment from the university and state
and who expects to remain during
the best part of the melon season,
stated that while it was impossible
to prevent the use of the name Heart
of Gold In selling and distributing
melons, as this Is a named seed and
variety, yet the use OF the prefix Fall
Ion was stopped by the department
at Reno.
1t is his idea that a characteristic
name be given the melons produced
here and the same copyrighted the
same as several of the California pro
ducts. By this method 1t would pro-
tect the melon growers for all time
and prevent eounterfieting in sales.
This matter together with better
shipping is being taken up with the
farm bureau, as often melons have
been shipped to local places that
we're up In sugar content but unripe.
By classification this can be overcome
and a practical uniform product will
find its way to the local market. The
export trade, going in refrigerator
cars, has time to properly ripen, and
If care is taken In this class of ship
ment the home grower is protected.
Mr.. Schweis states that exports
from California this spring were not
satisfactory, as tests made in Reno
showed that many melons were re-
eeived that were low in sugar con
tent and in unripe or overripe eondl-
tion. This can be prevented by care
and knowing where the melon is To
go.
Mr.. Schweis is taking in all parts
of the project and Is to meet Mr..
Swingle to see what can be done
toward better Standardization of the
exports 1t is possible that a free
sampllng station viii be established
in this city.