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NUTS AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



Lemons. — This crop is much less grown in Florida than before 

 the heavy killing of trees by frost in 1895. The main crop of the 

 United States is now grown in southern California near the coast. 

 A period of low prices for lemons discouraged growers in both 

 these states. 



The fruit is picked a number of times each year. Prices are 

 best in summer and regions that can produce good summer fruit 

 have a decided advantage. Growers try to delay ripening from 

 spring until summer. They also try to hasten the ripening of the 

 fall fruit so as to get it on the summer market. Special processes 



Fig. 199. — Tent over orange trees for fumigating with hydrocyanic acid gas to kill scale 

 insects. This method is more common in California than elsewhere. (U.S.D.A.) 



are sometimes resorted to in order that the fruit will assume a ripe 

 color. 



The culture and care of lemons is similar to that described for 

 oranges. Much more attention must be given to the pruning of 

 lemon trees. 



There is more trouble from brown rot disease on lemons, and the 

 cost of producing the lemon crop is greater in many particulars 

 than the orange crop. 



The sorting and packing of lemons is done chiefly by hand. The 

 boxes are similar for the two fruits. 



Limes. — These acid fruits are produced commercially on the 

 extreme southwestern coast of Florida and the adjacent islands. 



