CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. 41 



A box of oranges will hold from eighty to three hundred and sixty, 

 according to size. The weight will vary with variety, but will average 

 about sixty-six pounds of fruit; the total weight averaging about sev- 

 enty-five pounds. In case of oranges and pomelos, they are not picked 

 until ripe, or should not be, while lemons are better picked green, 

 especially if a desirable size is attained. Lemons picked green and cured 

 in the packing-house will ship better and are the only ones suitable for 

 long shipment. All lemons, except those that ripen on the trees before 

 reaching the desired size, are cured in the packing-house. Oranges and 

 pomelos are usually kept only two or three days until the skin softens 

 by evaporation, when they are more easily packed. Pomelos are some- 

 times held successfully for weeks before shipment. The lemons must 

 color and this takes time. This curing improves the appearance, thick- 

 ness and texture of the lemon peel, giving it a soft kid-glove finish. 

 Lemons are sometimes kept in the packing-house for ten weeks before 

 they are sufficiently cured. It is possible to hold them much longer 

 than this if market conditions require it. 



The fruit should always be picked by use of curved-pointed clippers 

 and the picking sack, which can be carried and emptied without bruising 

 the fruit, and should be drawn to the packing-house on cars or wagons 

 with good springs. The rule to be observed, ever and always, "handle 

 all citrus fruits as though they were eggs." 



