HANDLING THE CITRUS CROP. 4Q5 



not all that might be desired. On the other hand, if held 

 on the trees too long, oranges may become deficient in 

 juice and a considerable amount of fruit may drop. 



Though most of the pomelos grown in Florida are 

 shipped before the first of January, it is a fact that but 

 few varieties reach their highest perfection until Febru- 

 ary or March, or even later. To secure the finest quality 

 of fruit it should not be picked until about that time. 



Lemons and limes must be picked while green, but 

 they should be well grown before they are taken from the 

 trees. The rule for lemons is to pick them when they will 

 pass through a two-and-a-quarter-inch ring. But any va- 

 riety of lemon which is not well grown at that diameter 

 is not desirable. If allowed to ripen on the trees, lemons 

 become overgrown and do not develop the strong, clear 

 acid that characterizes the well-cured fruit. 



Kumquats should be picked as soon as well matured 

 and colored. 



During the time of picking, it is preferable that the 

 weather be dry and the atmosphere free from fog or other 

 moisture. Bright, clear weather, with a temperature of 

 about seventy degrees is ideal. 



Clippers. Since all citrus fruits should be cut, not 

 pulled, from the trees, because the rind of pulled fruit 

 is broken, giving a chance for decay to set in, clippers of 

 some sort are a necessity. The blades of orange clippers 

 must have sharp cutting edges, and so curved as to make 

 it possible to cut the stem close to the fruit. No portion 

 of the stem should remain on the fruit, else it may punc- 

 ture the rinds of other fruits in the processes of picking and 

 packing, therefore the cut should be made close to the 

 calyx. 



