SHIPMENT OF ORANGES FEOM FLOEIDA. 17 



to the packing box. A sharp, ragged fragment of stem projecting from the orange 

 will injm-e all the fruit with which it comes in contact in the picking bag, field box, 

 brusher, washer, or packing bin. When it is considered that long stems are probably 

 the most common imperfections found in the work of the Florida crews, the importance 

 of giving particular attention to the picking becomes apparent. In most instances 

 it is impossible to avoid leaving long stems, unless the so-called double cut is made. 

 This means that the fruit is first severed from the tree with a stem half an inch long, 

 which is trimmed off when the fruit is held in the hands of the picker. This enables 

 the workman to cut closely and carefully without danger of clipper cutting, and at 

 the same time it prevents him from throwing or "shooting" the fruit into the picking 

 receptacle. Actual experience shows that it requires very little more time to make 

 the double cut, and when the picker becomes accustomed to clipping in this way he 

 can operate practically as fast as with the old method, where he has to use care to 

 prevent clipper cutting. Of course, it takes longer to make a careful double cut than 

 to pay no attention to the character of the work performed. Since the picker is fre- 

 quently imable to see the stem when the orange is on the tree, he consumes much 

 time in adjusting his clippers in the right position. In making the double cut he is 

 not concerned with the placing of his clippers, simply reaching out and severing the 

 orange with a stem long enough to avoid contact between the fruit and the clippers; 

 then when he holds it in plain sight he can easily make a smooth, close cut. 



EVOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA CITRUS INDUSTRY. 



The results of the bureau investigations emphasize the importance of having the 

 fruit arrive in market in good condition and of having it remain sound while in the 

 hands of the wholesale and retail dealers. Shippers are frequently of the opinion 

 that their interest in the condition of the fruit does not extend beyond the percentage 

 of decay found on arrival. It is realized that buyers can claim allowance for such 

 decay, and consec[uently shippers are usually anxious to prevent it. In their opinion 

 any decay which results after the fruit is purchased is the buyer's loss. This impres- 

 sion is erroneous, for the decay which develops after the fruit is in market is just as 

 direct a loss to the growers and shippers as that which appears during transit. Although 

 the shipper does not have to make a cash allowance for decay occurring dm'ing the 

 mai'ket-holding period, brands which fail to remain in good condition lose their reputa- 

 tion and ordinarily do not command as high prices as do those which are known for 

 their good market-holding quality. The wholesale and retail merchants want oranges 

 upon which they can depend to remain in sound condition. For such fruit they 

 are willing to pay a premium, while fruit which develops a high percentage of decay 

 before it can be sold has nothing but its cheapness to recommend it. A grower or 

 shipper who consigns carelessly or poorly packed fruit with the expectation that it 

 will remain sound until it gets into market deceives no one but himself. He may be 

 able to dispose of a few cars at fair prices, but the buyers soon learn what to expect 

 and prices fall accordingly. Fruit which develops a high percentage of decay while 

 in the market is the poorest kind of an advertisement, not only for the brand under 

 which it is packed, but also for the section of the State from which it is shipped. 



In many cases growers and packers are anxious to do careful work, but they do 

 not realize how many factors there are in the handling operations which may cause 

 injury and therefore decay. They do not appreciate what careful handling means, 

 and they underestimate its importance until the results are denionstrated to them. 

 Injuries causing decay in citrus fruits while in transit and in market may occur from 

 operations through which the fruit is put from the time it is taken from the tree until 

 it is placed in the packing box. It is the prevention of these injiu:ies in grove and 



23103°— Bull. 63—14 3 



