14 IMPROVEMENT OF CITRUS FRUITS THROUGH BUD SELECTION. 



by two men. Figure 5 shows the mechanical sizer at work and illus- 

 trates the method used in grading the fruit from the select trees. 

 The small platform scale for weighing the fruit, mounted on a truclc, 

 is also shown. 



The fruits of each size of each grade are counted and weighed 

 separately and the results noted in the regular blank form, except in 

 the case of culls, where no sizes are made and the weight is taken as 

 a whole. By adding tlie totals of the three grades the total product 

 of the tree is obtained. These data, including the number and weight 

 of fruits of each grade and size from each tree, form a detinite basis 

 for scoring a tree as to its performance and make possible an accurate 



Fig. 5.— Portable mechanical orange sizer aud scales for weighing the different lots of grades and 



sizes of fruit from individual trees. 



and comprehensive comparison of the value of individual trees under 

 the same conditions. When, as is usually the case, the growers keep 

 a record of the product of each size and grade from the grove as a 

 whole, these data are of further comparative value. While oranges 

 are frequently divided into additional grades commercially, for bud- 

 selection purposes the three grades mentioned above are sufficient to 

 give reliable data as to the quality of the fruit, and the personal 

 equation in sorting into extra fancy and other grades of tine-drawn 

 distinction is thus eliminated. Moreover, the quantity of sound, f ree- 

 f rom-blemish, marketable fruit of good quality that the tree produces 

 is the most important factor to be considered in this work. This 



rCir. 771 



