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LUSCIOUS MELONS READY FOR MARKET 1931 - Gallagher Crop Leaves Aldershot For Winnipeg - Quality Unexcelled Warm Weather Increased Sugar Content - 16,000 Baskets From 13 Acres Sun ripened in Canada's greatest melon garden, thousands of baskets of muskmelons are now being harvested and a large portion of the yield this season is being sent to outside markets. While a heavy demand for locally-grown melons has been experienced in the past, this year the orders arc particularly heavy, and the buyers will not he disappointed, for the crop Is the best in the history of the district, old producers declare. Off to Winnipeg This week a Spectator representative visited the farm of Geo. [George] T. Gallagher, on the Toronto-Hamilton highway, near Aldershot, and saw extra pickers busily engaged selecting the luscious fruit. Wednesday Mr. Gallagher shipped a carload to the T. Eaton Co. of Winnipeg, and a week ago the first order of equal size moved for Mr. Gallagher estimated his crop from the 13 acres at 16,000 baskets. He grows sugar salmon melons exclusively. and this year the yield established a new record, not just for quantity, but for quality. Like the Heat "Warm weather increases the sugar content of the crop, and we had a perfect growing season said Mr. Gallagher. "In size, and In flavor, the melons this year surpass anything I have ever grown," Commenting on price, he said It was good at the start, but with the rush of ripened fruit, the market, broke and lower rates had to be accepted. Shipments to the western market and five days elapse from the time of leaving until the fruit reaches its destination. Careful Grading After melons are selected in the fields they are carried in trucks to the grading rooms where Mr. Gallagher and his sons select the fruit with regard to size, flavor, etc. The best produce is placed in baskets bearing the Gallagher registered mark. In addition to the, basket sales, hundreds of "flats" are moved, for in Montreal and other centers there is a demand for boxes. The firmer melons are sent to the distant markets and the crop which is ready for immediate use is disposed of in Toronto, Hamilton and other local sections. Started In May tiny plants were planted in the fields. After experiments Mr. Gallagher that for melons, fertilizer, and vines abundantly with nourishment, which, he believes is largely responsible for the heavy yield. The Gallagher farm is one of the last well-kept apple orchards on the Plains Road. There are over 3000 fruit trees and thousands of oak, elm, beech, hickory nut, butter nut, walnut, chestnut, and coniferous trees in the adjoining bush. The sixth generation of this pioneer family is also attending St. Matthew's Sunday School. Their grandmother, Mrs. Geo. Gallagher was also president of St. Matthew's W.A. for over 25 years, and was a gracious leader in the W.I., where her sister-in-law Mrs. Whatmough is a delightful exponent of cultural serenity. Experiments in the ceramic value of the red and grey clay on the farm by Jean, Anne and Lucy Seagers Gallagher are interesting our ceramic enthusiasts. Photos of luscious salmon-flesh melons. Clipping of photo: Busy pickers on the farm of Geo. [George] T. Gallagher selecting sun-ripened muskmelons. Thirteen acres of the farm are in melons, and the owner estimated his crop at 16,000 baskets. For size and quality the fruit has established a record this season, the weather being largely responsible. Two carloads of the Gallagher crop have already been sent to the west. After picking, the melons are graded and shipped in baskets to near and distant markets. The price this year was attractive at the start, but with movements to the markets now increasing, is now declining.