THIRTY-FOURTH FRUIT-GROWERS^ CONVENTION, 



95 



The tendency of the lemon tree is to grow sprawly. It should be 

 pruned so as to grow compact and full of fruit wood, and able to bear 

 the tremendous load of fruit which it has to carry almost throughout 

 the year. 



The grove must be kept well irrigated, and in an even state of 

 growth. This insures a smoother, better ciuality of fruit. 



Thorough, deep cultivation is important throughout the summer 

 months. If deep cultivation is practiced when the tree is young, 

 there is no danger of injuring it by deep plowing or cultivating as it 

 gets older. 



Cover cropping should be practiced as the cheapest way of keeping 

 up the humus content and good mechanical condition of the soil and 

 of supplying nitrogen. As the tree gets older, it must also be fer- 

 tilized, as it is impossible to gather from fifteen to twenty-five tons 

 of fruit to the acre per year, and continue doing so without returning 

 something to the soil. 



Improper picking and handling fruit is perhaps responsible for more 

 bad results than any other factor. If time and experience have proven 

 anything in the lemon business, it is that the fruit must be carefully 

 handled. It should be picked in as green a state as possible, and still 

 get the size demanded by the trade. Advanced maturity — in other 

 words, ripe lemons — means weak fruit and decay. Decay means red 

 ink. 



The grove nmst be kept free from insect pests, in order that it may be 

 vigorous and thrifty. This can only be done by vigilance; thorough 

 study of the habits of the numerous insect pests put here for the 

 entertainment of the citrus grower, and the best methods of keeping 

 Ihem in subjection. 



The same care must be observed in the packing or curing house 

 in handling. Lemons should be held in the curing house at least a 

 month before shipment, so as to eliminate by decay the weak and injured 

 fruit. During their stay in the house, they must be properly ventilated. 

 Excessive moisture should be eliminated, and shriveled fruit avoided. 

 This means careful attention. If held in the house am^ great length 

 of time, decays must be removed before getting too soft. Before 

 shipment, the fruit must be carefully graded, and honestly, and neatly 

 packed. 



I know of nothing that will respond to good care better than a lemon 

 orchard. About a year and a half ago I purchased a property on 

 which was a ten-acre lemon grove that had been very badly neglected. 

 The grove had never been irrigated during tlie summer months since 

 planting; the trees had never been pruned or fertilized; neither had any- 

 thing ever been done for insect pests: neither had it ever had a good cul- 

 tivation. There was a gopher under almost every tree. You can imagine 

 the state it was in. I debated in my own mind whether or not it would 

 not be 'better to grub the grove out, but decided to give it a trial, and see 

 what good care would do for it. I immediately gave it a heavy pruning 

 and thorough fertilization, cleaned up the insect pasts and have kept 

 it well cultivated and irrigated since. During the first year, the place 

 netted $1,500 above all expenses of putting it in good condition. 

 It is now full of lemons and bids fair to make a very good grove. 



