326 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



many suggestions for a sliding scale, which would exempt from the standard to some 

 extent, oranges containing high percentages of soluble solids. Peculiarly, most of 

 these suggestions came from regions where the fruit does not mature early and there- 

 fore does not attain a high content of sugar soon enough in the season to permit 

 early shipments even under a very liberal sliding scale standard. 



Practically no data have been submitted with the suggestions made, and where 

 figures were used as a basis of suggestion, they were from a limited number of 

 analyses confined to one or two localities. The purpose of the present paper is to 

 place before those interested in the subject, in a condensed form, such data as have 

 been collected in all districts, which bear upon the question. 



The purpose of the maturity standard is primarily to protect the consumer who 

 purchases fruit which is fully colored, under the impression that he is obtaining 

 food which will be satisfactory to his taste. Indirectly, also, the standard is a 

 benefit to the orange grower in that it assures him that the purchaser will be satisfied 

 with the fruit which he is selling, and in this way, create a demand for it. Thou- 

 sands of dollars have been lost by the California industry in the past by shipment 

 of both immature and frosted fruit, in which the purchaser was unable to detect 

 the defect, and from which he turned after a single experience to other satisfactory 

 fruit which was available at the time. 



In the preparation of a sliding scale, the first question which must be decided is 

 that concerning the point at which exemptions from the present standard should begin. 

 In the light of our experience, extending over three seasons in California, we believe 

 that an orange should only be exempted after the juice has reached a minimum 

 of 13 per cent soluble solids, but in order to test the question fully, a set of sliding 

 scales have been prepared, beginning at 13 per cent soluble solids, and lowering the 

 percentage in A. per cent steps until 11 per cent soluble solids has been reached. 



Thus, if a sliding scale should be adopted which was based on 13 per cent soluble 

 solids, fruit must contain juice having 13 per cent of soluble solids or over to come 

 within this scale. Fruit not having reached 13 per cent would necessarily have to 

 pass the 8-1 standard. If, however, it contains 13 per cent soluble solids, it would 

 pass the standard when the ratio of soluble solids to acid reaches 7.5 to 1. Further, 

 if the soluble solids had reached 14 per cent then the ratio at which the fruit would 

 pass would be lowered to 7-1, and so on as set forth in the following table : 



Scale Based on 13 Per Cent Soluble Solids. 



Soluble solids In juice 



Minimum 

 ratio 

 for 



passing 



13 to 14 per cent _ - 7.5 to 1 



14 to 15 per cent - _ - -- "-0 to 1 



15 to 16 per cent 6.5 to 1 



16 per cent and over - - - 6.0 to 1 



The second sliding scale to be considered is based on a minimum of 12* per cent 

 soluble solids : that is, in order to be included in the exemptions of this scale, the 

 juice of the fruit must contain a minimum of 12$ per cent soluble solids. Fruit, 

 the juice of which had not reached that figure, would still have to pass the 8-1 test. 

 The following table shows the exemptions from the 8-1 ratio, which would be made 

 by the adoption of this scale. 



141 to 15i per cent — - 6.5 to 1 



154 per cent or over 6.0 to 1 



