The common name for cantaloupes is muskmelons. The name cantaloupe comes from the castle of Cantalupo in Italy, near which the melons were first grown in Europe. It is a member of the gourd or the cucumber family. You are here shown the way in which muskmelons are usually farmed. Sometimes a melon farmer will raise both muskmelons and watermelons; but since the great market for cantaloupes is in the large cities, their growing has become largely a matter of garden farming. These men are picking only those melons that are almost ripe. If cantaloupes are allowed to get too ripe before picking, they are crushed in the shipping. It takes an experienced field hand to be able to judge the proper ripeness of the muskmelons. According to the census of 1910, California stood first in the production of muskmelons,

with 5784 acres. Colorado was second, with 3970 acres; New Jersey, third, with 3861 acres; Indiana had 3855 acres, and Maryland 3516 acres. A great many states grow this fruit. If you were in certain parts of India and Africa, you would find that muskmelons grow wild there. Sandy soil is best for growing cantaloupes. In the late spring the seeds are planted in hills about 6 feet apart. The young plants cannot stand cold, hence they must be planted late. They are tended with cultivators when they are small. When the vines begin to reach out from the hills, cultivators can no longer be used. The plants must then be hoed if further tending is needed. The fruit is packed very tightly in baskets or crates for shipment. In season, it is one of the most popular items on the bill of fare in all hotels.