482 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



inches long, light yellow when mature, its skm medium- 

 thick, the pulp abundant and acid, and the juice sacks long 

 and pointed. The fruit requires aljout nine months to 

 reach maturity. 



Geographical.— The lemon is probably a native of India. It is cultivated 

 extensively in the Mediterranean region, and to a considerable extent in Cali- 

 fornia and Florida. 



Colpr of Lemon Fruit. — ^Lemons are picked when they 

 reach a size demanded by the market, regardless of the 

 degree of maturity. Hence many of the lemons, when 

 picked, are dark green, and not the lemon-yellow of those 

 we buy in the market. Tlu- fruit is colored and ripened be- 

 fore shipment. If they arc not to be shipped for several 

 months, they are placed in storage houses ;where coloring 

 •s^rrd ripening goes on gradually. However,'it^they are to be 

 shipped soon after picking, the coloring process is hastened. 

 This is done by putting them in "sweat rooms" that are 

 kept at a temperature between 90° and 95°F. The proper 

 color is obtained by this treatment w'ithin four to six days. 



Uses.— Lemons, a re used in the home for lemonade, as an 

 ingredient in a number of prepared foods, as a stain-removej, 

 and as a bleaching agent. One of the chief uses of lenyjhs 

 is in the manufacture of lemon, extract. ,- ■; -^^^ 



Lemon Extract. — This ranks second to vanilla extract^in 

 the quantity consumed. Sicily now produces the world's 

 supply of lemon oil. Cull lemons are utilized for the pro- 

 duction of the oil. Lemon extract is made by dissolving 5 

 parts of lemon oil in 95 parts of strong alcohol. Lemon oil 

 is secreted by special cells in the outer surface of the rmd. 

 About 95 per cent, of the lemon oil produced is obtained from 

 the lemons b}- the sponge method, the remainder b}- the 

 machine method. There are two sponge methods, known as 

 the two-piece, and three-piece si)onge methods. Tn the former 



