I need to correct a couple of the numbers in the installment of this series that ran on May 14. Apparently when a lemon grower says half the crop is "dumped," that doesn't mean thrown away; it means sold for less than the cost of producing and processing it, i.e. on the "product" market for juice and concentrate.

Here's how the original passage read:

More Ventura County acres are planted in lemons -- 22,520 in 2004, according to the Agricultural Commissioner's Office -- than any other crop. Forty to 50 percent of each year's lemon production is thrown away. Thirty to 35 percent ends up as juice. Perhaps 15 percent makes it to the fresh market.

Here's how it should have read:

More Ventura County acres are planted in lemons -- 22,520 in 2004, according to the Agricultural Commissioner's Office -- than any other crop. Forty to 50 percent of each year's lemon production is sold for juice, concentrate and other products, at a price that doesn't cover the cost of producing and processing the fruit. About half is sold on the fresh market and earns growers a profit. Perhaps 15 percent of the total crop is top grade and brings the highest price.

The lesson I learned from this is not to conduct important interviews in a packinghouse roaring away at full tilt. Tip for other journalists: When the workers all around you are wearing ear protection, maybe it's a good idea to put the notebook away and save the questions for later.