Harvesting lemons is different from harvesting oranges. For one thing, lemon trees were blooming and fruiting throughout the growing year, so pickers needed to go over trees multiple times. Plus, most varieties had a least a few thorns to contend with. You also needed a greater degree of skill to only pick lemons that were a certain size and color.
This looks like tough group who could handle the rigors of lemon picking. These men had to have strong backs and sufficient fortitude to get the job done, and done right.
My Notes:
Image shows a group of nine citrus workers standing with crates of lemons and ladders. Third from the right is Henry J. Hinrichs, leaning his right elbow on next worker. Photo: Orange Public Library.
Bob Chaparro