The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1888-04-13
ornngea IL H.onlalana.
l,imes,pemoerat.

Iimes,D Democrat,
The ST. Louis Post Dispatch pub
fishes an interesting interview on the
subject Of orange culture with Mr.,
Charles s. Meyer, who has had large
experience ID that attractive oocupa-
tion in California, in this State and
IN Florida, Mr. Meyer declares that
when the entire crop, and not selected
speeimeps. Is taken into consideration,
mother Florida nor Louisiana need
fear comparison with California. The
difference between the best and
poorest fruits 10 California is greater
than id the Gulf States, and the or
anges in the latter region will nnques-
tionably average higher, The most
even development Is found il Lonisit
ana, but epieures declare that the fla
vor Of that fruit does not equal that
Of the Florida crop. Ia The Gulf
States the oFangea have not nearly
such thick skius as those grown on
the Pacific slope, and more perfect
specimens are found on every tree,
although the actual number may be
considerably less, "One Of the great
est factors to be taken into considera-
tlon," Mr, Meyer went on to say, 'is
the certainty 81 making a crop every
year, In this Louisiana easily holds
first place, A complete failure Of the
crop has never been known, and the
average is very closely adhered 10
every year. A compensating disad-
vantage Il the high price Of land auit-
able for orange culture, as compared
with the two other States. The dis.
pute between California and Florida
rs regards the risk to which the crop
| is subjected BY changes in temperature
Is very fierce, each State claiming SUI
peuority and pointing with pride to
the misfortunes Of It's nyal But when
everything ID taken into consideration,
| do not think II can be successfully
denied that the intelligent aud expe.
rienced planter runs less risk 10 Flori-
da than in California, Statistics foT
the last few years are by no means an
unerring guide, The lossos In Florida
have been very heavy, but a great
proportion cannot justly be aserlbed
to the climate, Florida has suffered
greatly ip reputation from amateur
orange,growing, Among Eastern cap,
italists il has grown to be quite fash
ionable to own orange groves, and
thousands Of cousumpliyes who have
gone to the State for their health have
gone into planting simply TO provide
occupation for themselves. OF course
these men know nothing of tho bust
ness and are the ready victims Of un
prineipled land sharks, with whom,
am sorry to say, Florida fairly swarms
The very greatest care and experiences
is required in the selection Of land, a
a mistaken choice Of "a location does
not mean q poor crop, but an utter
failure, Losses arising from thu
cause should not be placed to tht
debit side Of the Florida account A
few years ago there was frost which
destroyed 90 per cent. Of the oranges
in Florida, but this was an Rnexau
Ipled storm, and may not be oqualet
for q century. California, on tht
other hand, is perpetuslly liable t,
| such disaster, The great mountain
| wall behind the California orang
groves may send down chill blasts a
any time, and five years seldom pas
without d sharp frost late in the sea
son. Such q frost is destructive Il
the entire crop, and liabilities to II
occurrence, in my opinion, more thai
counterhalances the many advantage
of California, and introduces q specu
latiye element into tho orange busi
ness Of that State which does not exis
along the Gulf"