SHIPMENT OF ORANGES FROM FLORIDA. 17 
to the packing box. A sharp, ragged fragment of stem projecting from the orange 
will injure 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 unable 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 consequently 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 during the 
market-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 demonstrated 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 injuries in grove and 
23103°— Bull. 63—14 3 
