Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-01-06
ORANGES AND LEMONS.
italian Growers Afraid That America WIN
Grow Her Own Fruit.

italian Growers Afraid That America WIN
Grow Her Own Fruit.
The telegraph stated few days ago
that the Italian Ministry of Commerce
had been making inquiries into the cx-
tent of the orange and lemon produc-
tion Of the United States. especially
regarding its effect upon Italian com
merce in these fruits. Further infor-
nation regarding this matter was OBJ
tanned from Charles Dondero. secre O.
tary of the local Italian Chamber of
Commerce.
Mr.. Dondero was found busily en-
ploycd wrapping up the monthly bull
letins published by the chamber. which
arc sent all over tho United States
wherever there are Italian merchants
About four hundred papers are also
sent regularly 10 Italy to Italian mer-
chants there. Tho papers are printed
In Italian, and contain mass of in
formation regarding California and Its
productions, and informing intend
ing settlers where 10 locate.
did the chamber give the Italian
Government information about our
citrus fruitsP" the reporter asked.
yes" replied Mr. Dondero, "they
wrote to us about it. aud VIC gavo them
considerable Information. We did not
use the exact language quoted in the
dispatch, however. The dispatch says
that II was reported that California |
can supply tho American market
throughout the year. The yearly
orange crop of Italy is very great, aud |
several millions Of people live '''.nscs Q
; Qrango and oJdntry, aud about loO,- =
90. 600 lemons. Most of the lemons /
nre from Sicily. But few of the oranges
come 10 this coast, nearly all being abb
sorbed by tho Eastern market A few
lemons come here, however, not more
than 1000 boxes year. Last year
nearly 5000 boxes were imported, but
that was above tho average.
Tho Italian lemons arc much
harder than ours. and will keep for
eight months and stand trip across
the ocean. They will then be nearly
rs good rs new. Oar lemons. how
ever, with tho best of care will not last
more than four or five weeks. In the
East they always talk about the Med
iterranean citrus fruits, but nearly all
of them are from Italy.
Have any of our or anges been ex-
ported to ItalyP"
I "0h, yes, but only IN small amounts
moro as samples than any thing else.
The Italians have prom ounced them
very good. From the amount OF CAPT
tn invested In tho business there, and
from tho fact that tho business is ono
of the leading industries Of the coun-
Try. you can readily SEQ why the Gov
ernmcnt, in behalf OF tho Italian mer-
chants should make these inquiries.
They desire to ascertain just how the
American production is going to affect
their trade. / have no doubt whatever
that California can produce ton times
as many oranges as 1t docs now,
for all the way from Los Angeles to
Shasta they can be raised. This Is a
peculiarly fortunate State. you must
know. for we have not the heavy winds
and frosts of Florida, and tho soil Is
we'll adapted to raising oranges. The
amount of the orange production Of
California IS, in fact, as yet undeter-
mined. Nobody can tell it. In hun
drcd years it may be hundred times
greater than it is now"
"IIow do our lemons compare with
those of other countucsp"
"Thcy rank about third. First
comes the Sicilian. then the Austria
liam, then tho Californian, and then
the Mexican. The Mexican lemon
will not last as long as the Californian.
Our lemons will not last TO Europe
Tho lines will last longer, but are not
used as much rs the lemon. Tho
lemon trade Is ono OF the greatest re-
sources of Sicily. The Italian Govern
ment, rs you may sec from the steps
already taken by It, is doing all It can
to assist tho Italian trade in oranges
and lemons, and is acquiring all In
formation regarding matters which
might affect is-San Francisco ChroE-
tcle