SPRAYING TO CONTROL ENEMIES OF CITRUS TREES. 11 
The foregoing data show that the loss resulting from the reduction 
in size of the fruit is close to 12.5 per cent, or about one size. About 
half the citrus crop of Florida suffers this loss. The data also con- 
firm the observations made on the size of “brights” and “ russets” 
when packed. When fruit is graded in a packing house and then 
run through the sizer the full bin on the “ bright” side is invariably 
one size larger than the full bin on the “russet” side. These facts 
also substantiate the statement of Mr. 8. O. Chase, of Sanford, Fla., 
who figured out more than 25 years ago that the increase in 
size which results from spraying pays for the cost of spraying. 
They also confirm the statements of Mr. F. D. Waite, of Palmetto, 
and Mr. A. B. Harrington, of Winter Haven, that rust mites reduce 
the size about 124 per cent. 
The belief is general in Florida that “ russet” fruit will ship bet- 
ter, or with less decay, than “ bright” fruit. If this is the case it 1s 
possible that the supposedly superior shipping qualities of the “ rus- 
set” fruit might outweigh any advantages which the “bright” fruit 
might possess. While the data given in the following paragraphs 
may not be entirely conclusive, they certainly show that bright fruit, 
which retains its natural “waxy” coating for protection, ships 
equally as well or better than “russet” fruit, or fruit that has been 
injured by rust mites to the extent of losing its normal protection. 
Test 1: Grapefruit—On January 30, 24 brights and 24 russets were 
picked and placed in the laboratory. These were examined from 
time to time, and on April 7 462 per cent of the bright fruit had 
decayed and 584 per cent of the russets. 
Test 2: Witeyoone grapefruit each, of brights and russets, were 
picked on the same day as the eet odante and placed in the laboratory. 
On April 7, 49 per cent of the brights had decayed and 754 per cent 
of the russets. 
Test 3: Oranges—One box of bright oranges and one box of russet 
oranges, each containing 200 fruits, were purchased at the packing 
house on March 9. These fruits were picked from the same grove. 
On April 7 the bright oranges showed 484 per cent decay and the 
russet oranges 59 per cent. 
Test 4: One box of brights and one box of russets containing 160 
oranges each were set aside March 9. On April 7, 29.8 per cent of 
the bright fruit had rotted and 30.6 per cent of ihe russets. 
Test 5: One box each of brights and russets, containing 150 or anges 
each, were used on March 3. On April 7, 5G per cent of the bright 
fruit had decayed and 66 per cent of the eee 
Test 6: One-half box each of brights and russets were put under 
observation on March 38. On April 7, 54 per cent of the brights had 
rotted and 74 per cent of the russets. 
