EFFECTS OF FREEZES ON CITRUS IN CALIFORNIA 297 



as denatured alcohol, guaged to the right specific gravity, will allow 

 the heavy uninjured fruit to sink, while the lighter frozen fruit will 

 float. For some time following the injury, no such segregation can 

 be made. Time must be given for the changes in the fruit to take place. 

 Lemons change more rapidly than oranges, and give a fair segregation 

 within a mouth following the freeze. The changes are much slower 

 in oranges, however, and it was about two months after the freeze 

 before a practical segregation by this method could be obtained. 



A machine had been devised to make this specific gravity segrega- 

 tion mechanically in alcohol, and had the previous year been installed 

 in a few packing-houses. This machine gave fairly good results as 

 long as the alcohol remained at the proper degree of density. Owing 

 to the rapid evaporation of the alcohol and the change in degree 

 of density, considerable difficulty was experienced in using these 

 machines. 



It was found that a practical and fairly economical separation 

 could also be made by this alcoholic method, using special tanks or 

 half barrels, into which open mesh-bottomed trays were fitted. By this 

 method the tray filled with fruit was dipped into the alcohol. The 

 light floating oranges could then be removed quickly by use of a sieve 

 dipper, after which the tray could be lifted out and the heavy 

 oranges removed. 



In certain experiments, oils, such as kerosene and engine distillate, 

 have been used instead of alcohol in making specific gravity segre- 

 gations, but even when friuts so segregated have been thoroughly 

 washed with warm water and "gold dust" to remove the oils, injury 

 almost always ensues. 



The alcoholic method of segregation was the only successful 

 method known during the first two months following the freeze, and 

 many were preparing to use it, regardless of the great expense for 

 materials and the difficulty of its application. Fortunately just at 

 this time, before much expense had been incurred in the purchase of 

 alcohol or alcohol separators, Mr. Frank Chase of Riverside rendered 

 citrus growers a great and lasting service by patenting a water sep- 

 arator and giving the patent t them for use, freely, without recom- 

 pense, except that reward of personal satisfaction for work well done 

 and the honor that comes to one from the performance of notable 

 public service. 



The principle of the Chase water separator is based on the differ- 

 ence in the specific gravity of the injured and uninjured fruit the 

 same as in the case of the alcoholic separator. In the Chase separator, 

 however, the fruits are carried in single rows and dropped from a 



