462 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



of the tree within easy reach is more imperative from an economic 

 point of view than with trees from which fewer pickings gather the 

 crop. Adjacent engravings give suggestive views of rationally 

 controlled lemon trees. Pruning is also related to escaping infec- 

 tion of the fruit from the ground which will be discussed in the 

 Chapter on Diseases of Trees and Vines. 



Lemon tree with medium amount of under-pruning. 



PREPARATION OF LEMONS FOR MARKETING 



The lemon as taken from the tree is not in condition for 

 marketing except to packers who wish to undertake the curing. 

 To secure best results in quality and in keeping properties, the 

 lemon should be carefully cut from the tree as soon as proper size 

 is reached. To allow the fruit to hang upon the tree until lemon 

 color is assumed, gives a lemon which is deficient in juice, over- 

 sized, apt to develop bitterness, and prone to decay. Two and 

 five-sixteenths rings are used for winter pickings and 2- l /2 for 

 spring and summer, never more than six weeks being allowed 

 to elapse between pickings, and the fruit is usually picked once 

 a month. By careful attention to this, desirable sizes and good- 

 keeping stock are obtained. Neglect of this is the weak point of 

 many of the lemon growers of California. Mr. C. C. Teague, man- 

 ager of the Limoneira Company of Santa Paula, Ventura County, 



