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longer on the tree. Before the better oranges begin to ripen the gar- 

 dener should be well acquainted with the quality of the fruit of each 

 tree so that he can classify them according to quality of flavor, from 

 the acid to the sweet, from the dry to the juicy and various varieties. 

 In gathering cut the stem, leaving half an inch of stem on the orange. 

 Place the different varieties in heaps to themselves. Cover lightly 

 with straw for three or four days, the longer time during cold weather 

 and the shorter time during warm weather, that the oranges may 

 sweat. After this time place them in latticed bins, holding from one to 

 two hundred oranges each, to dry. In putting them into bins assort 

 them with reference to size, color and perfection, so that the classi- 

 fication may be complete. They can now be packed at leisure, for 

 after they have been dried out without being bruised they will keep 

 indefinitely. 



The boxes for packing should be of light material, neatly made, 

 tolerably close and hooped. Dimensions 8x16x27 with partition in 

 the middle. In making these one side should be left open. In pack- 

 ing the open side should be turned up, and the box lined with sheets of 

 paper laid on the bottom and resting against the side. Each orange 

 should be wrapped separately in tissue paper containing as little oil as 

 possible so that it will readily absorb and throw off moisture. The 

 wrapper should be careful to reject every bruised or otherwise injured 

 orange. The packer should be careful not to put different varieties in 

 the same box. The buyer should know when he has tasted any orange 

 from a box or brand that all others of the same brand or box are its 

 equal. In packing, the oranges should be placed closely together in 

 layers, so that there can be no rolling or sliding of the fruit in the 

 box. The last layer should project three-fourths of an inch above the 

 sides of the box so that the top when nailed on should hold the layers 

 firmly to their places, even after ihefe has been some shrinkage of the 

 fruit. This is all-important when the fruit is to be transported a con- 

 siderable distance; and especially when transported by rail. The box 

 should now be marked with the number of oranges and the brand of 

 the fruit. 



In shipping, water transportation should be preferred to rail, 

 especially during the first part of the trip, as such transportation is not 



