The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-11-21
THE FRUIT CROP.

ida depends on the money made or
lost on the orange crop more than
on any other one item. All of US
depend directly or indirectly on the
wealth realized from this source and
all of us feel kecnly the disappoint-
ment realized by the grower who
counts his bags only to find them
empty after season of hard work.
Now it has been amply demon
etrated that oranges IL Florida cau
be successfully grown-our climate
seems exactly what is required to
ensure highest perfection in the fruit
our soil produces rapid growth and
fine health in the tree, and our grow
ers are becoming skilled in the oul-
ture and are Industrious and intelli-
gent. Under these conditions the
production of the fruit may be con-
sidered a problem solved-the album
dance may be seen of every eye and
we can cal! upon the four quarters of
the world for testimony as to quail
ity.
Is it not wonderful, in view Of
these facts, that we still occasional
ly hear of those who have failed to
make a financial success of orange
growing after well directed effort
and Industrious application n? We
answer that, industry and skill being
equal, one other element enters into
the problem of successful fruit cul-
ture in Florida which does not COM
plicate the consideration of results
from other agricultural products.
With us the successful fruit grower
must know how TO sell, when to sell
and how to ship as we'll as how to
produce his crop.
The average farmer knows little
of the methods which finally make
his loss or gain, and the average
fruit-grower can seldom properly
locate the bad management which
finally throws his fruit in an unsala-
BILE condition on the market. There
fore we feel that we can render no
greater benefit to our readers than
to give them the experience of those
whose large interests compel care
and whose standing ensure faith and
trust. One OF the most respected
citizens of Putnam county Is the
Hon. P. p. Bishop, of San Mateo,
he Is also one of the largest orange
growers in the state, and We repub-
lish the following letter from Mr..
L. J. P. Bishop, of New York, the
financial agent of Bishop, Hoyt s.
Co., in the confidence that it will be
interesting TO all who have identi-
fled their future with that of this
portion of Florida. IF our profits
can be taken off by careless handling
of fruit en- route to market, it is nee
essary that different lines be held
strictly accountable for treatment
rendered, and this can oaly be
brought to pablo attention through
the press. We trust, in the inter
ests of the public, that other ship
pers will follow this example and
state fairly and explicitly their
grievances as first step towards
their correction. Justice to all con-
cerned demands that no more gener-
al charges or vague complaints be
made. but that facts and figures be
publicly given.
Mr.. Bishop says: slots % and "a
arrived yesterday ia Charleston,
and, so far as unpacked, we lose
none, so that overhauling is unncc-
essary; they are practically sound
/ must commend tina manner in
which the Charleston line has han
died fruit sent to me generally
throughout this season. With one
or two exceptions they have done
most excellently in promptness, alb
sence of s'robbed" boxes, correct
count, boxes and straps not broken
or loosened, and the boxes have been
uniformly dry.
"Lots by Ocean Steamship Co.
have all had one or more ssrobbed"