The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1918-12-12
EXPERIMENT STATION
GIVES GOOD ADVICE
To Growers of Grapefruit and
Oranges
CONCERNING CAUSES OF ROT
How to Eliminate it from Ship
ments and to Prevent it BY
Proper Care of Trees. Treat
ment of Anthracnose.

ment OF Anthracnose.
| Weather conditions during the
past ten days have been unusually
favorable for the development of
citrus fruit rots and we may ex-
pect trouble from blue mold, stem
end rot and anthracnose if moist
conditions continue to prevail.
Doubtless considerable damage
has already occurred, which will
become more evident within the
next few days. Excessive mois-
ture is favorable to the growth of
the rot inducing fungi. The same
condition indirectly affects the
fruit by making it more turgid. in
which case the rind is brittle and
easily injured or bruised in hand
ling. Fruits that are highly tur-
gid and filled with an excess of
moisture give off this excess later.
II fruit is packed in this condi-
ton, even though the surface ap-
pears perfectly dry at the time,
considerable amount of moisture
will still be given off and absorbed
by the wrapper. Thus an ideal
moist condition is provided for
the termination of any fungus
spores on the surface of the pack
ed fruit. This probably explains
the high percentage of decay that
developes in fruit that is packed
and shipped during periods of
rain. Fruit gathered under such
conditions should be allowed to
dry in the packing house for a
few days before it is packed.
While a considerable amount of
decay may appeaer within the
next two or three weeks, some of
which will be unavoidable, steps
may yet be taken to eliminate a
good percentage of loss,
Blue mold is likely to be much
IN evidence in the groves, packing
houses and shipped fruit. This
fungus cannot penetrate the un-
broken citrus rind andsonly gains
entrance to the interior of fruits
scratches, bruises, breaks
or injuries to the surface. Follow
ing rainy periods, it is important
to see that the fruit is carefully
handled from the tree to the pack
I'd box, avoiding as far as possible
Ill clipper cuts, long stems, thorn
bricks, scratches and bruising.
'acking houses and field boxes
hould be kept clean and all Gull
ruits should abe promptly dis
,osed of and not allowed to decay
The fruit should be thoroughly
Try before packing and it should
'e shipped under proper ventila-
ion. Where the percentage of
lue mold is running high in the
hipped lots, it would be advis-
BILE to hold such fruit for several
avs after picking in order that it
lay dry out and throw off the ex-
essive moisture.
Under moist conditions stem
nd rot developes rapidly, and it
lay be expected to appear in
roves where the trees contain
luch dead wood, especially if
Gale insects are present on the
'uit in any abundance. When suf-
GENTLY developed to detect, the
ot is distinct and quite charac-
'ristic. However, fruits infected
18th the fungus may be picked
'om the tree and not show any
isible signs of the disease at the
me. Such fruits develop the
IT after they are packed and dur
g storage, and this greatly af-
'ets the market value of the An
led pack.
Ssem-end rot can be more ef-
ctiEely avoided by keeping the
ees free from dead wool and
ale insects. Where fhis has
Concluded on last ps col. 81