*VB 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DEPARTMENT BULLETIN No. 1290 
Washington, D. C. 
^EB 
er 30, 1924 
TRANSPORTATION OF CITRUS FRUIT FRO 
RICO 
By R. G. Hell, Horticulturist, and Lon A. Hawkins, Plant Physiologist, Office 
of Horticultural Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry 1 
CONTENTS 
Page 
Introduction 1 
Equipment and conditions of the ex- 
periments 2 
Citrus-fruit growing in Porto Rico 4 
Taking the fruit on the ship 5 
Stowing the fruit 6 
Page 
The first trip 7 
The second trip 12 
The third trip 14 
The fourth trip 15 
Dunnage tests 16 
Discussion of results 19 
INTRODUCTION 
The. transportation of citrus fruit overland has received consider- 
able attention in the United States. The work of Powell, 2 Tenny, 3 
Eamsey, 4 and their coworkers 5 has made possible the shipping of 
these fruits long distances, with reasonable assurance that if the 
proper conditions are furnished they will be attractive and desirable 
for food upon arrival at the market. One of the important points 
brought out by these investigations was that the fruit during cer- 
tain seasons could be shipped best to distant markets under re- 
frigeration. Fruit carelessly handled or affected by disease was 
found to be less likely to decay before reaching the market if shipped 
under refrigeration. The lower temperatures furnished in iced cars 
also delayed the natural breaking down of the fruit. The work has 
been of great value to the citrus growers of this country by estab- 
lishing the use of refrigeration for the transportation of citrus fruits. 
The shipping of citrus fruit by water has not received the attention 
given to the land transportation of these fruits, doubtless owing to 
the fact that only a small part of this crop of the continental United 
1 The writers wish to acknowledge indebtedness to their associate. W. S. Graham, for 
valuable assistance rendered on the trips described herein. 
2 Powell, G. Harold, and others. The decay of oranges while in transit from Cali- 
fornia. U. S. Dept. Aer., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 123. 79 p.. 26 fig., 9 pi. 1908. 
3 Tenny, L. S., Hosford, G. W.. and White, H. M. The decay of Florida orantres while in 
transit and on the market TJ. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 19, 8 p.. 2 fig. 
1908. 
4 Ramsey, H. J. Handling and shipping citrus fruits in the Gulf States. TJ. S. Dept. 
Agr., Farmers' Bui. 696, 28 p., 10 fig. 1915. 
B Stubenrauch. A. V., and others. Factors governing the successful shipment of 
oranges from Florida. TJ. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 63, 50 p., 26 fig., 15 pi. 1914. 
2026 c 
