Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-03-24
THE ORANGE TRADE.
California Oranges in the
New York Market.
THEIR GRADE IN THE MARKET.
The Supply from Various Countries
and the Qualities of the,
Fruit.

found very interesting to the growers OF
citrus fruits:
NETHERLANDS ORANGES AND LEMONS.
In former times, before Cuba, Jamai-
ca, Florida and California came to the
front as producers Of oranges for the
New York market, our great source Of
supply was the Mediterranean countries,
Sicily, Catania, Valencia, etc. About
800, 900 boxes were formerly recsived
in New York, yearly, from those ports.
But the importations have lately de-
creased, and last year did not exceed
about 100000 boxes. as stated by
Messrs. Brown & Seecomb Of this city.
who sell by auction all the Mediterra-
mean fruits which arrive at this port.
They say also, that only about two
thirds as many lemons are brought to
New York from European ports as
oranges.
Messrs. Phelps Bros. 4 Co., large i'm.
porters Of these fruits, say that the
Sicily orange crop has failed this season
and will furnish only about two-thirds
the usual supply, while the valencias
are more abundant than last year.
Messrs. Hill Bros. who are very large
dealers in foreign fruits, say that more
Mediterranean fruit comes to New York
now than five years ago, but the prices
are lower, owing to the greatly in
creased production of Florida, Califgr-
mia and the West Indies. They state
also that oranges from the latter tsun-
tries will not keep and bear transporta-
ton as well as those from the Mediter-
ranean, which are thinner skinned and
hardy. They give present prices of the
latter at from 1925 to $3.50 per box.
and lemons 81. so to $500.
Mr.. Merritt, of the Merit Fruit Co.,
pronounces the Valencia oranges hand
some, but sour and rather deficient in
flavor. They are shipped here in cases
which contain double the quantity of
the Sicilian box, and he thinks that
oranges from either of these localities, as
well as from Sorrento, sell as a rule so
per cent. below those from Florida and
California. Many of the Siciliau orange
groves are being devoted to the culture
Of lemons, and the change is effected
merely by grating. The flavor and
quality Of the fruit thus produced is in
no wise affected by the process. Mr..
Merit further says that lemons may be
considered as semi-tropic fruit, not
adapted to extreme southerly heat. A
million, or possibly million and half
boxes Of lemons are sold yearly in New
York, at least four fifths OF which come
from Sicily. Florida has begun the
lemon culture, but her contributions
have not hitherto exceeded $4,000
boxes yearly, although the crop is in
creasing. Lemons vary in price much
more than oranges, and the market for
them is extremely tickle. long spell of
hot weather or unusual sickness being
among the numerous causes that advance
the price. There are both specific and
ad valorem duties on imported oranges
and lemons.
HAVANA ORANGES.
Havana oranges formerly took the
lead, but whether from the fact that the
groves are old, or less care is paid to the
culture. they no longer rank with
oranges from Jamaica, Florida or Cali
fornia---they are less juicy and hand
some, and are not as heavy, neither do
they keep as well. Another point
against them is, that they are packed
for market with far less care than fruit
from either of the other regions named.
The average prices of Havanas on the
dock, this season, as given by the firm
above mentioned, has been from So so TO
81 90, which are little better than last
years prices, owing to the frost in Flor
ida. About 10000 bbls. Of oranges
came to New York last year from
Havana.
JAMAICA ORANGES.
The firm OF Vessels 4 Co. make a
leading speciality of this fruit, although
they deal also in Florida oranges. They
own the New York 4 Jamaica Steam
ship line, which comprises three steam
ers, bringing mainly fruits. They state
the ruling price of Jamaica oranges to be
at present from Sc to 81 per bbl., Ha-
vanas per Dbl, 81 10, with Floridas
from $3.50 to = per box, and CALIFORNIA;
not quotable from scant supply.
Mr.. Vessels believes that Florida and
California will in time rub out all the
foreign importations of oranges, and he
suggests that American orange growers
may practically prolong their season and
govern prices Of their fruit by keeping it
for longer time upon the trees and then
storing it properly, SO that it may come
forward gradually.
1t is curious fact, he says, that an
orange may remain on the tree for many
months after it ripens, and it will neither
decay nor fall off like the apple, but will
wither and its juices 90 back into the
sap OF the tree. 1t will, however, again
take back its juices, and, swelling to its
natural size. become as palatable as ever.
He thinks that the injury to Florida by
the frost is much less serious than was at
first supposed, and that good crop
may be expected there next season.
FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA ORANGES.
Mr.. Merritt estimates this seasons
crop in California at 400, 900 boxes, while
he puts the Florida crop at about l ,000,-
900 boxes, about one-half of which
reached market, and he thinks the
Florida yield this year will amount to
from so to 80 per cent. of the crop of
the past season. Florida begins TO ship
her fruit in October and it comes for
ward heavily through November and
December, while California begins early
in January and ships the bulk OF the
crop in March and April. Ii goes main
ly to Western interior cities. In few
years both these States, he says, will
largely increase their product and will
also supply what is called summer fruit.
Oranges now come from Los Angeles
through to New York by the carload,
and attached to passenger trains, at
cost Of about 30 cents per box. Fruit
from Jacksonville, Florida, costs for
freight to New York so cents per box,
and frem interior points in the State 60
to so cents.
MFR. Merit exhibited some very hand
some and exquisitely favored fruit from
California which he called Navel oranges,
and which were practically seedless.
This frnit brings from "a to IS per box,
each containing about I2S oranges. He
says that California fruit brings from 20
to 25 per cent. more than Florida fruit
Of the same quality, and that Mediter-
ranean oranges rule lowest Of all in price.
Next comes Havana fruit, next Jamaica,
then Florida, and lastly, highest and
best Of all, the oranges of California.
But many leading dealers entertain d.
verse views as to the respective excel
lence Of the fruits of the different re-
gions.
LINES.
This fruit comes mainly from Jamaica,
Martinique and .Montserrat, but New
Workers generally prefer lemons. Many
years ago lines sold at 500 per barrel,
but now the prices average to range