Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-30
TIE CITRUS FAIR.
Correspondence of the RECORD UNION
SAN DIEGo. March % JSS.

st>S VI NotAoHSi SESESe, L. oI d., wa
held at National City, on the 18th ami
10th insts., and notwithstanding the lat
storm, which prevented many of the distan
l. .-uit.growers from getting there, tn,
dis 'lay was said to be better than tina
of year ago, and finer than the mos
sanguin.' expected for, like all other part
of the Stat. this section has experienced
very cold " inter, which directly affect
this class of pl oducts. For more than
A HUA'RED YEARS
Citrus fruits have been grown in Sa,
Diego county, but it has not been unit
within the past dozen yea, that they hav.
been really cultivated. Within that short
period, however. it has been successfully
demonstrated that there is scarcely limit
to their production, either in QUANTITY or
quality, and the vast back country,
which was supposed to be fitted only for
the growth OF sagebrush and the cactus. has
developed into the finest of fruit lands, the
product of which rivals that of any country.
The recent fair brought these products,
grown, as they were, in all kinds of loca.
tions, from close to the sea. a.shore back to
the sheltered hooks of the foothills, prom.
inently into notice, and the Eastern visit
ors were astonished at the possibilities of
the near future in this direction. The
building used for the display was small
but well arranged, and all the space util.
lied. There were six tables across the
hall, wide enough to set six large plates.
and about twenty feet long, leaving space
between and at either end for the visitors.
These tables were all filled, the fruit being
built up in pyramids as high as they could
be made to stand, while over each table
and all around the hall we're suspended
clusters OF oranges and lemons, containing
from half dezen to twenty FIVE or thirty
each.
AMONG THE EXHIBITORS
Probably twelve or fifteen had from six to
fifteen varieties of oranges, while perhaps
three times as many exhibited from one to
six varieties, and in nearly every instance
cash variety was represented by number
of exhibits. There were also few exhibits
from Riverside. Premiums were offered
for the best Navel, Mediterranean Sweet.
Malta Blood and St. Michaels, and these
were well represented, together with the
following named varieties: Bergamot,
Mandarin, Ashen's Best, Wolfskill's Best,
Swans Late, Phipp's Early, Pnipp's Nom
pareil, Pacific Rural, Cincinnati, Wilson s
Best, Texas Pacific. Cleveland, Konah,
Nelson's Queen ard Louisiana, while there
were twenty or more different varieties OF
seedlings. The finest display was made by
j. S. Harvey, who, although he had but
seven kinds, had them represented by all
large and choice fruit. His exhibit con-
sisted of pyramid of fifty.six large Navel
oranges, surrounded by thirty. four plates of
other varieties. His orchard was planted
only about Six years ago, and is nearly all
budded, choice kinds.
THE DISPLAY OF LEMONS
Was not nearly so large as that of oranges,
and mostly of the common variety. There
were, however, two notable exceptions
Swans "Olivis," which was exhibited at
the State Fair two years ago, and Higgins
" Bonnie Brae, either of which are equal
to the best imported Sicily. They are
both chance productions, the former being
about the size of an ordinary Sicily, while
the latter is much larger, with skin al
most as thin as paper. When first discov-
has greatly improved its quality. When
ever these two varieties shall have been
propagated to supply the de-
mand the importation of lemons must
cease, for while they are in all respects
equal, they can be grown at a profit for
two thirds the cost of imported lemons.
The display of lines was very meager, and
the quality nothing extra. There was
fair display of apples, but the season was
so late that most of them had become
" mealy." They made fine appearance,
however. There was fine display of
canned fruits, consisting of peaches, pears,
opIicots, ounces, figs, grapes, plums, OIL
ives, piokled peaches, picked lines, guava
and other varieties of iellies. All CT these
fruits were large and attractive, the apri.
cots in particular, for two of them filed
iive-inch jar.
THE DISPLAY OF RAIsINS
Must not be forgotten, as it is claimed by
some that grape growing is to be the lead
ing industry. So sanguine of this was one
gentleman that he took out orange trees
which cost him $1,000 and put grapes in
their place. One thing is certain, no
better raisins have ever been exhibited
than those at this fair. Besides the above
specified fruits there were bearing olive
and citron trees, loquats, guavas, bananas,
Zante currants and figs dried,
land very fine, too), wine and
vinegar, all products of this county.
Premiums, ranging from two dollars to
fifteen dollars, and aggregating over
hundred dollars, were paid. The premium
for the best budded orange was awarded
20 the Washington Navel, exhibited by f.
W. Cover, of Riverside. This was grown
rom cuttings furnished by ex Commits
Iioner General La Due, who was present
It this fair, and took much pride in the
act of having contributed, even indirectly,
pg towards the display. Among
he decorations of the hall was large
basket made of raw cotton which was
raised and prepared by Mrs. Kimball, of
National City. Altogether the display was
credit to the energy and pers everance of
he few who inaugurated it, and will prove
benefit to the whole county.
J. NJ. III.