The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-06-12
Bulletin Issued
on Watermelons
Handling of Product Is Pre-
carious on Account of
Many Factors.

Prepared By the United States Department
Of AgricuIture.)
"Watermelons" That is the name
Of a new bulletin just issued by the
United States Department Of Agricul-
ture. The subject Of watermelons Is
big one. but the author Of this bull
letln has covered the ground thorough
ly. The handling OF watermelons is
extremely precarious, he says. on ac-
count OF the many factors that govern
their sale on the market. Oyerpro-
duction Is one OF the chief causes of
loss, but weather conditions at the
market are perhaps more important
factor Cool, rainy weather will cause
breaks OF the market, while clear. hot
weather will invariably stimulate the
demand. Considerable losses are also
caused by diseases which have their
origin on the farm. but develop during
transit.
Increase Yield and Quality.
Under existing conditions any de
cided Increase In the acreage planted
10 watermelons for shipment. for the
present at least. would be unwise. but
there Is great opportunity for improv-
Ing cultural methods and for increas-
ing both the yield and the quality OF
the melons. Watermelon as a rule |
should not be grown on the same land |
oftener than once In ten years, in
order TO avoid losses from disease.
Plant on new land wherever possible
and avoid the use Of barn or feed
lot manure where either refuse melons
or hay cut from melon fields have
been fed during the previous season.
They respond TO the use OF CONNER
clal fertilizer. the amount being gov
erned by the character Of the soil and
the cost Of the fertilizer. Melons
grown for the market should be
thinned 10 approximately two on each
vine or hill, In order to get marketable
sIze, the pruning being done when
he vines are dry. The vines them
selves should be cut back or pruned.
Watermelons should not be gathered
intil reasonably ripe. but not over
fpe. They should be clipped from
he vines BY means of sharp knife, ,,
eaylng the stems as long as possible.
md hauled 10 the shipping point with /,
'ut Injury to the skin or brulslng.
felons should always be hauled and
oaded into the cars the same day
hat they are clipped from the vines.
ship In Clean Cars.
Watermelons should be shipped only
4 clean cars provided with at least
hree inches OF dry bedding. and In I
use Of box cars or ventilated cars a I
ming OF paper around the walls is
eslrable although not absolutely es- e
initial. In sections where stem-end I
II IL prevalent. watermelons should i
3 handled with extreme care to avoid 0
Jury. Only melons with fresh II
reen stems should be loaded. and the $
ems should be recllpped and treat u
! to prevent the development OF $
em-rot In transit Melons should be II
,ndled carefully throughout. snugly b
,cked In the cars. and should reach G
10 market without unnecessary de- p
y. n
The profits accruing from watermel- II
Is growing are not large; therefore d
Items OF expense In their produc- el
IN should be kept as low as possible W
nsistent with good cultural and u
ndllng methods. Sudden expansion 50
the acreage planted is undesirable. In
ID usually results In extremely low HI
ices. n
A copy of this bulletin. Farmers d.
illetin No. 1894. watermelons. may tn
secured. as long as the supply lasts. ly
,m the United States Department OF II
trlcnlfnre Wnshlnrtnn ID q IL