The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-08-18
Vctoru
Gardens
BY H Z. LANG

One OF the common signs OF the
ripening Of watermelon is the
drying up OF the tcndril nearest the
melon. This sign, however, does not
mean that the mellon is ripe enough
to eat; it may be, and 1t may not
be. Sometimes four or five tendrils
| along the vine on each side OF the
melon are dried up before the
| melon Is in prime condition for eat
ing. Also. sometimes when you wait
until four or five tendrils are dry.
the melon has passed its prime and
is beginning to break down and
turn mealy and insipid. Therefore
experienced harvesters OF water
melons have learned to judge mel
ons by means OF color and sound
as we'll as by tendrils. When the
white lower side OF a dark green
melon has just turned to a rich
golden color with warts and PIN
pies and. when 1t resists the finger
nail when scratched. the melon is
usually in prime condition On light
green melons, the color Is less in
tense.
The sound test is used by many
experienced harvesters, but con-
siderable amount OF experience Is
required for accuracy. The sound
OF a ripe melon when snapped with
the finger is variously described as
"plunky,' flat. dead, or like that OBJ
tanned by swapping the side OF a
thick leather shoe. II the sound Is
hollow or ringing or seems TO have
a musical tone, the melon is not
yet ripe Large melons have dir
ferent tone than small melons, and
varieties differ according to shape
and to the thickness and hardness
Of the rind.. some giving a tone OF
higher pitch than others. This is all
very confusing 10 the beginner, but
ii can be learned with patience and
sufficient practice on many kinds
Of melons.
II a melon seems ripe by the color
and sound tests. there is one more
test that can be given. When a care
full steady pressure is exerted on
the top Of a ripe melon. there Is a
"givey" feeling, accompanied by an
interior cracking that is partly felt
and partly heard II the atmosphere
IS sufficiently quiet TO enable one
10 hear It. II melon resists the
pressure, It is not in prime condi-
iion. II melons are 10 be shipped,
they should not be given the pres
sure test. because when a melon
has once been squeezed enough TO
cause interior cracking. It will not
remain in good eating CONDITION for
very long time.
Since an overripe melon continues
for some time to look and sound
| like ripe one. II Is important TO
keep the melons picked as fast as
they ripen because they soon pass
their prime. Some time in the early
forenoon when most Of the dew has
eyaporated. but before the sun has
begun TO warm the melons. is the
popular time to pick melons for
home use. Al that time the melon
lare cool and In the best condition
for eating or for storing In a cooi
place until they are desired for
eating II u best not 10 disturb the
Wines while ;hcy are very wet. Also
liz g. best 20 avoid stepping on the
l,lnes
In commercial plantations the
! picking NJ watermcions Is done Al
any time of day. usually in the
morning when the dew is eyaporat
ing The melons are stored in the
hsda and they usually become cool
during night. f. r. a thrilling
experience for beginner TO OBJ
servo an expert picking waiermel
ons. After few days Of prelim
harry rolling and humping 10 Try
out those that ripen first. the eK
pert gets bssiins. + OH then on
he strides through the rctth eacl
day "spottirsT ripe ones ii2ht an.
'left. often he can spot tile ripe