SB 359 
 .R7 
 Copy 1 
 
 Immature Citrus Fruit 
 
 BY 
 
 R. E. ROSE 
 
 State Chemist 
 BEFORE THE 
 
 CITRUS SEMINAR, GAINESVILLE, 
 FLORIDA 
 
 OCTOBER 17-20, 1916 
 

 By Transfer 
 
 NOV 25 1916 
 
IMMATURE CITRUS FRUIT 
 
 By E. E. KosE, State Chemist, before the Citrus Seminar, 
 Gainesville, Florida, October 17-20, 1010. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 This subject probably has been discussed more fre- 
 quently by the grower, shipper and consumer of citrus 
 fruit during the past twenty years than any other sub- 
 ject, affecting the production and marketing of citrus 
 fruit. 
 
 It became the subject of discussion by the citrus grow- 
 er, the agricultural press, and trade journal before the 
 great freezes of Florida and California, at which time 
 the crops of citrus fruit in each state had become of large 
 size— some 5,000,000 boxes in Florida and some S.000,000 
 boxes in California. For some years after these freezes 
 the crop being small, far le^s than the demand, there was 
 little, if any, immature citrus fruit sent to market, hence 
 the quality of the fruit was seldom questioned. 
 
 However, when the crop again reached 5,000,000 boxes 
 in Florida, with a proportionate increase in California, 
 the problem of marketing and distribution became acute. 
 
 The natural desire to get the fruit into the market in 
 advance of a possible freeze, by which the fruit at least 
 would be made unfit for market, with the possibility of 
 serious damage to the groves, and shortening the crop for 
 several years to come; the temptation to ship the fruit 
 as early as the market would accept them irrespective of 
 quality was great, hence the shipment of immature fruit 
 became general, particularly by shippers who had pur- 
 chased crops on the trees — often with a clause in tlie con- 
 tract recjuiring the purchaser to remove the entire cro]> 
 from the trees at a fixed date, generally by January 1 ; 
 sometimes earlier. 
 
Tlie flooding of the market with this fruit, largely im- 
 uiatiire and undesirable, early in the season necessarily 
 had the effect of destroying the reputation for excellence, 
 formerly enjoyed by the Florida oran-ge. 
 
 In order to deceive the consumer as to ripeness and 
 desirability, it became a common practice to "sweat" 
 green, or immature oranges, thus simulating ripeness or 
 maturity. It was soon discovered that green fruit shipped 
 in an unventilated car "Released, Vents Closed and Plugs 
 In," thus affording ''a warm moist atmosphere" would 
 arrive at destination, some six to ten days later, yellow 
 and apparently mature. 
 
 This abuse became so common when the Florida and 
 California crops reached large proportions, as to demand 
 some action by our national pure food otiflcials, who, after 
 investigation, declared that: 
 
 "There is evidence to show that the consump- 
 tion of such immature oranges, especially by 
 children, is apt to be attended by serious dis- 
 turbances of the digestive system." 
 
 This fact, however, was generally accepted prior to the 
 issuance of F. I. D. No. 133, April C, 1911, by the national 
 pure food authorities. 
 
 This ruling by the national authorities was quickly 
 followed by the State of Florida; on June 5, 1911, the 
 Florida "Immature Citrus Fruit Act" became a law; in 
 response to a practically universal demand by the orange 
 •growers of the State, and that of many shippers inter- 
 ested in maintaining the quality, reputation and market 
 value of Florida oranges, and was bitterly opposed, I am 
 pleased to say, only by a few notorious "Green- Fruiters" 
 and speculators, who had little or no interest in the gen- 
 eral welfare of the industry. Its constitutionality was 
 questioned by those interested in the shipment of "Imma- 
 ture Citrus Fruit," carried to the Florida Supreme Court, 
 and the law sustained, as reported in the case of Sligh 
 
vs. Kirkwood, Sheriff, reported February 7, 1913. G5 
 Florida, page 123. This judgment was affirmed on appeal 
 to the r. S. Supreme Court, April, l^U. 
 
 It will be noted that in F. I. D. No. 133, and in the 
 Florida "Immature Citrus Fruit LaAV of 1011" no stand- 
 ard was fixed for determining the maturity of oranges. 
 However, in both cases, "Immature Oranges" were de- 
 clared unwholesome and unfit for consumption. 
 
 Necessarily, the question — "^A'hen is an orange mature 
 and wholesome?" became immediately one of great public 
 interest in the orange producing states. It is Avell known 
 that immature citrus fruit, after removal from the tree, 
 though it may be artificially colored by "holding in a 
 warm, moist atmosphere for a short period of time," or 
 shipment in an unventilated car, does not, as in the case 
 of deciduous fruits, ripen ; that such immature oranges 
 "do not change in sugar or acid content after removal 
 from the tree" and are not prone to decay, rather to 
 desicate or "dry up." 
 
 It can be readily perceived that some simjde method, 
 easily and quickly applied, one that could be applied b}- 
 any one — grower, shipper or reeciver — one that would 
 positively determine the degree of ripeness, irrespective 
 of color, became necessary. 
 
 HencCj a standard, fair to all jiarties — the gr-ower, the 
 shipper, the receiver, and particularly to the consumer — a 
 reliable and accurate standard, (piickly applied by any 
 intelligent man or woman, not recpiiring great skill, tech- 
 nical training, or expert knowledge to apply, was de- 
 manded, a legal standard fixed by authority, for The 
 guidance not only of the Inspector, but also for the 
 grower and shipper. 
 
 This problem of devising such a standard was delegated 
 by the Agricultural Department of Florida to a com- 
 mission of eminent scientists, trained horticulturists, 
 
specialists in orauge gi-owiug and marketing, clieuiists. 
 and business men. 
 
 This commission was appointed by the Commissioner of 
 Agriculture of Florida in June, 1912, and met July G, 
 1912, at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, 
 and assigned to its various members different ]>l)ases of 
 the problem submitted. 
 
 After several sessions and much correspondence, this 
 Commission prepared a report of their conclusions and 
 presented the same to a largely attended convention of 
 Florida orange growers, convened by the authority of the 
 Florida Agricultural Department, at the State Fniversity 
 at Gainesville, August 15, 1912. 
 
 This convention unanimously adopted the .standard for 
 oranges recommended by the Commission as follows: 
 "If this chemical analysis shows the percent- 
 age by weight of the total sugar, as invert sugar, 
 to be seven times, or more, than the weight of 
 the total acid, as citric acid, the fruit shall be 
 deemed mature." 
 This standard now generally known as the '"Florida 
 Standard,'- I am pleased to say has been adopted by 
 the National Bureau of Chemistry and by the National 
 Association of Food, Drug and Dairy Officials, slightly 
 modified as to terms, in order that the '"test" or ''analy- 
 sis" can be readily and quickly applied in the field or in 
 the laboratory. The standard now adopted by the 
 National Food and Drug authorities, and by many of the 
 Food Officials and Health Officers of the Nation, is that : 
 "All mature oranges shall contain not less 
 than eight parts of total solids to one part of 
 total acid, calculated as citric acid, without 
 water of crystalization ; and that 
 
 "All mature grapefruit shall contain not less 
 than seven parts of total solids to one part of 
 
acid, calculated as citric acid, without water of 
 crA'stalizatiou." 
 
 It will be noted that one part crystalized citric acid 
 to seven parts of total sugar, as invert, is practically 
 identical with the standard now universall}^ adopted. It 
 can readily be applied by any one, not color-blind, with 
 a few inexpensive instruments and reagents, thus obtain 
 ing the information necessary, without the tedious and 
 expensive sugar determination, requiring a chemical labo- 
 ratory and a trained chemist. 
 
 It will be readily perceived that total solids include 
 acids, hence seven })arts sugar is practically identical to 
 eight parts total solids. 
 
 Much time, labor and study has been devoted to this 
 problem by the U, S. Bureau of Chemistry in California 
 and in Florida, also by the Laboratories of the Universi- 
 ties and Experiment Stations and State Laboratories of 
 these States, as well as by several reputable commercial 
 laboratories in these, and other States, all of which agree 
 that the standard fixed by the Florida Commission is 
 equitable and fair alike to the grower and the shipper, 
 and the consumer. 
 
 Since the unanimous adoption of the standard by the 
 National Association of Dairy, Food and Drug Officials, 
 at Berkeley, California, August 2-5, 1915 ; the Health and 
 Food Officials, Chambers of Commerce and Boards of 
 Trade of many states, particularly those in which large 
 distributing points are situated — New York, Chicago, 
 Cincinnati, St. Louis, Denver and others — have adopted 
 the standard and decline to accept delivery of fruit which 
 does not comply with the National standard; and have 
 destroyed large quantities of citrus fruit that has failed 
 to pass the standard required, not only in car lots and 
 cargoes, but have followed and attached the fruit in the 
 possession of the retail dealer. 
 
Two cargoes of Porto Kican grapefruit (windfalls from 
 the recent storm) were condemned and destroyed by the 
 Health OflBcers of New York, recently. This has resulted 
 in a notice by the New York Chamber of Commerce to the 
 Porto Eican and other foreign shippers, that hereafter 
 delivery w^ould not be accepted of fruit that failed to pass 
 the National and state standards. Citrus fruit, therefore, 
 can not be shipped from these localities until certified as 
 mature by an official chemist at the shipping point. 
 
 Tlie time is rapidly approaching when all contracts for 
 deliver}- of citrus fruit will be conditional upou its 
 "passing the test" of maturitj' on arrival at destination. 
 Eeceivers, commission and auction houses, brokers and 
 dealers, wholesale and retail, will not assume the risk of 
 the loss of the fruit by condemnation. The work of in- 
 spection has been greatly facilitated and improved. 
 
 The fact that a shipper can not now ship "Eeleased, 
 Vents Closed and Plugs In" without calling attention to 
 his evident desire to "sweat" the fruit in transit ; nor 
 prevent State or National Inspectors from obtaining this 
 information from the railroad agents, has had a wonder- 
 ful retarding effect on the "Green Fruiter," a very few of 
 whom still try to operate and occasionally get off a car 
 from some lonely siding, packed and shipped at night, 
 and, I am credibly informed, not billed as citrus fruit. 
 
 The act of 1010, amending the Interstate Commerce 
 Act, provides as follows: 
 
 r. S. ACTS OF 1910. 
 
 Chapter 309 — To amend. An Act to regulate 
 commerce. (The Interstate Commerce Law). 
 
 Section 10. Any person, corporation, or com- 
 pany, or any agent or officer thereof, who shall 
 deliver property for transportation to any com- 
 mon carrier * * * or for whom, as con- 
 
9 
 
 signer or consignee, any such carrier shall trans- 
 port property, who shall knowingly and will- 
 fully, directly or indirectly, himself or by em- 
 ployee, agent, officer, or otherwise, by false bill- 
 ing, false classification, false Aveighing, false 
 representation of the contents of the package, or 
 the substance of the propert}' * * * \\liether 
 with or without the consent or connivance of 
 the carrier, its agent, or officer * » * shall 
 be deemed guilty of fraud, which is hereby de- 
 clared to be a misdemeanor, and shall, upon 
 conviction thereof, be subject, for each offence, 
 to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or 
 imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of 
 not exceeding two years, or both, in the discre- 
 tion of the court : 
 
 Section 12. Provided, That nothing in this 
 act shall be construed to prevent the giving of 
 such information in response to any legal pro- 
 cess issued under the authority of any state or 
 Federal Court, or to any officer or agent of the 
 Government of the United States, or of any 
 State or Territory, in the exercise of his powers, 
 or to any officer or other duly authorized person 
 seeking such information for the prosecution of 
 persons charged with or suspected of crime; 
 •X- * 4f j^^^^^ person * * * violating any 
 of the provisions * * * of this section, shall 
 be guilty of a misdemeanor, and for each offense, 
 on conviction, shall pay to the United States a 
 penalty of not more than one thousand dollars. 
 Those two amendments to the Interstate Commerce 
 Act have had a wonderful deferent effect upon the ship- 
 ment of unlawful goods by means of false statements as 
 to kind or class of material shipped and also afford 
 officials, State and National, means to promptly ascer- 
 
10 
 
 lain all facts as to the point, aud date of shipment, name 
 of consignor and consignee, car initial, number and rout- 
 ing, thu8 affording an opportunity to fix the responsi- 
 bility for the shipment of all unlawful goods, not only 
 immature citrus fruit but numerous others. Citrus fruit 
 is by no means the only class of fruit or vegetable and 
 other farm products now demanding laws aud regulations 
 to prevent their shipment in an immature condition — 
 notably the canteloupe and celery growers, shippers and 
 consumers are uoav demanding law.s and regulations to 
 prevent this deception and abuse. Particularly are 
 brokers and consignees declining to accept delivery and 
 pay for goods that do not conform to the National and 
 State standards fixed by law. 
 
 I am pleased to say that most of tlie larger shippers 
 of the State, handling most of the citrus crop, are now 
 in full accord with the National and State authorities, 
 and are upholding the law and aiding in its enforcement. 
 The fertilizer. Feed Stuff and Food and Drug Laws, 
 which at first met with the active opposition of the man- 
 ufacturers and dealers, are now recognized by the legiti- 
 mate manufacturer and dealer in honest goods as their 
 best protection against the dishonest competition of the 
 manufacturer or dealer in inferior or adulterated goods. 
 
 It will be noted that previous to the season of 1914-15, 
 when the law liad been declared constitutional by the 
 Supreme Courts of the State and Nation, and the adop- 
 tion of the Florida Standard by the National autliorities; 
 but little was accomplished in preventing tl)e shi]iment of 
 immature fruit by State officers. The shipment of citrus 
 fruit being practically exclusively interstate, the State, 
 vxithout the co-operation of the National authorities, was 
 seriously handicapped, hence the shipment of 000 cars 
 of grapefruit prior to November 5, 101.'! — thus flooding 
 the markets with inferior fruit to the disgust of the con- 
 s, inei- ;ind demorilization of the market, which did not 
 
It 
 
 recover uutil very late in the seasou — to the great fiuan- 
 cial loss of the grower and legitimate shipper. 
 
 However, during the season of 1914-15, owing to the 
 hejutj co-operation of the National authorities but 90 
 cars of grapefruit had left the State when the season 
 closed, November 5, while there was but little complaint 
 of immature oranges. These facts are well known to 
 the 'grower and shipper, hence the general approval of the 
 law and demand for its enforcement by all except a few 
 notorious "Green Fruiters," who still persist in the efforts 
 to evade the law by packing and shipping at night from 
 lonely sidings, and, as alledged, by false billings. 
 
 A number of these cars have been attached as imma- 
 ture, the necessary evidence obtained of their being 
 shipped '^'Keleased, Vents Closed and Plugs In," and full 
 information forwarded to the National authorities and 
 to the consignee. It is believed that this practice will 
 cease when found unprofitable' and liable to end in con- 
 viction and punishment. 
 
 With the active co-operation, now assured, of the 
 National authorities, and the various states that have 
 adopted the Florida standard, and the fact that numer- 
 ous Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce and other 
 trade organizations are now refusing to accept delivery 
 of citrus fruit, foreign or domestic, that does not meet 
 the national standard, there is reason to believe that the 
 effort of the honest grower and shipper of citrus fruit to 
 prevent the violation of the laws of the State and Nation 
 will be accomplished. 
 
 R E. EOSE. 
 
LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 000 917 774 7 Q 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS