Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

258 BREEDING CROP PLANTS
These data show that all the characters studied segregated
in the second generation. There is some indication that the
contrasted characters in color of skin, size of seed, size of fruit,
and form of fruit are each separated by a single main factor
difference. In a cross between varieties producing round and
elliptical fruits respectively the Fi fruit was recorded as round,
while the Fz gave a ratio of 2.76 round to 1 elliptical. The other
two characters, netting and ribbing, indicate more complex inheritance.
Delices de la table (cf) has deep ribbing and no
netting; Sutton's Superlative ( 9 ) has no ribbing and pronounced
netting. The F 2 generation showed a variation of from 5 to 100
per cent, with respect to each character.
SQUASHES AND GOURDS
Emerson (1910), while at the Nebraska Experiment Station,
made a study of size inheritance in a cross between Yellow
Crookneck and White Scallop summer squashes. He found
that length of neck and diameter of bowl were intermediate
between the parents in FI. The second generation showed a
complete series of dimensions and shapes from one parent to
the other. The same investigator crossed Striped Spoon gourd
with Filipino Horned gourd. Results similar to those of the
squash cross were obtained.
WATERMELON
One of the most serious handicaps to the production of watermelons
in the Southern States is the presence of wilt, due to an
organism, Fusarium niveum. "Citron" or "stock melon," socalled
locally, is a non-edible variety of Citrullus vulgaris resistant
to wilt. Orton (1911) conceived the idea of crossing this form
with edible forms. He hybridized Eden, a good quality melon,
with citron. The FI was very vigorous and of intermediate type.
Between three and four thousand F 2 plants were grown and
ten fruits selected on the basis of resistance and quality.
After
selecting the resultant progeny for several years the variety
Conqueror was isolated. It is disease resistant, has a tough
rind, and does not sunburn easily. The flesh is juicy and of
good quality, although not equal to the finest. These studies
were made in South Carolina. It was found that Conqueror