59 



witli loose oranges slio\ild make four "packed" boxes. However it 

 often happens that they are absent, and when this is the case the 

 boxes in which it is intended to export the fruit may be used, care 

 being taken not to fill them too full, as if this were done and the 

 boxes piled one on the other the fruit would get bruised. Before use, 

 each box should be carefully turned upside down and tapped smartly 

 with the nand to; dislodge any particles of soil or gravel which may 

 liave got inside aud which, if left, would certainly cause punctures to> 

 the skins of the fruit. 



The Somehs-Haet Clipper. 



It is important to remember that oranges for export should be 

 picked dry. In the coastal districts especially is this necessary, where 

 the air is heavily ciiarged with atmospheric moisture. Under no 

 circumstances should picking be done when there, is dew or mist on 

 the fruit. In the interior higher and drier portions of the country 

 picking may usually commence in the early morning and continue to 

 nightfall, but in the coastal districts all work of this kind should 

 approximately be done between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 



The boxes of oranges should be hauled with care to the packing- 

 house, wherever that may be. The writer has seen many instances 

 where fruit has been hauled to the pack-house loose in the bed of a 

 wagon. Under circumstances such as these it is ijnjjossihle to make 

 orange ex-port pay. The necessary care must be taken, details attended 

 to, and each operation m,ust receive the attention it demands and must 

 be properly done if South African oranges are to attain that position 

 in the world's markets which they should. 



Ctjeing . 



It has been customary in the past to allow the fruit to remain 

 in the boxes for sometimes four or five days before sorting. The 



