. Better fruit. Fruit-culture. Page 32 BETTER FRUIT March. PLATE IV—CONTRASTS IN INTERNAL QUALITIES. NO. 2—PERFECT TYPE disease resistance are of prime considera- tion, as well as a thick, fine flesh of rich flavor, with no disagreeable consistency or after tastes, which are all qualities that should be embodied in a perfect cantaloupe. Doubtless the acme of perfection may never be realized, for some of the points may be antagonistic attributes, and the laws of plant breeding are not so well defined as to enable one to outline a scheme for seed selection that will insure the desired results in
. Better fruit. Fruit-culture. Page 32 BETTER FRUIT March. PLATE IV—CONTRASTS IN INTERNAL QUALITIES. NO. 2—PERFECT TYPE disease resistance are of prime considera- tion, as well as a thick, fine flesh of rich flavor, with no disagreeable consistency or after tastes, which are all qualities that should be embodied in a perfect cantaloupe. Doubtless the acme of perfection may never be realized, for some of the points may be antagonistic attributes, and the laws of plant breeding are not so well defined as to enable one to outline a scheme for seed selection that will insure the desired results in a given time. The object of this article is with a view of outlining the methods and results of a definite investigation along this line, presenting the facts that have grown out of this work in such a way as to serve the future efforts in cantaloupe breeding. The Colorado Experiment Station, in 1903, instituted an investigation for the purpose of developing, if possible, a can- taloupe that would be immune to the attacks of the fungus disease commonly known as "melon rust" or "blight," which is a serious menace to the melon indus- try. The first efifort was a study of the cantaloupe fields to ascertain if any resistant tendency existed in the various strains of the Rocky Ford cantaloupes. Owing to the different soil and the cul- tural conditions of the different farms, it was impossible to draw conclusions, as all fields were affected to some extent, and eventually all succumb to the disease. It was evident that a comparative test under more uniform conditions would be necessary to determine the point in ques- tion. Accordingly the following season the principal strains of the Rocky Ford cantaloupes were tested in comparison on a piece of ground that had been seri- ously affected with the fungus. The plat was uniform in condition and had the same care in all respects, yet the results of the test revealed that one of the strains had marked disease resis
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