Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-08
SATURDAY. FEBRUAsy s. 1890.
The Grand Future of Fruit Culture.

SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1890.
The Grand Future of Fruit Culture.
There is not on the surface of the globe
section SO well adapted to fruit culture
large and small, of the temperate zone
flourish here and come to state of per-
fection not reached in what heretofore
has been considered their habitat. Then
these are fanked and reinforced by the
fruit products of the sub-tropics, and
some OF those of the tropics proper, all
the varieties doing as we'll in Southern
California as they do in the most favored
spots along the historic shores of the
= Mediterranean sea. Lands on which
such crops will grow are much too valu,
able to devote to the cereals or to root
crops. The consumption of fruit in all
forms natural and preserved is too we'll
understood from hygienic point Of view
to allow good fruit of any sort to seek
market in vain. The consump ption of
fruit per capita is on the increase at
remarkable rate, and the limit is by no
means reached. The United States has
already sixty-fve millions of souls in her
borders, and she will in few years have
one hundred millions. In all her wide
borders the fruit producing areas are
few and far between. Here is the ideal
spot for this fascinating industry. These
facts are becoming perfectly understood,
and that is why so much attention is be-
ing directed to fruit culture in Los ADge-
les and the adjacent counties. Certain
fruits come to an absolute perfection
here that do not grow at all, or only in
limited areas of the country outside of
Southern California. All tho citrus
fruits, fgs, walnuts, olives and guavas
are the leading species in this category.
But those fruits that do grow in most OF
at least in many sections of the country
are cultivated under many difficulties,
on account of the extreme severity of the
climate. Here their production is al
most certainty, and the business OF at
tending TO an orchard is largely regarded
in the light of pleasant pastime.
The United States is still large i'm
porter of fruit in all the forms known to
the market. Millions of dollars a year
go out of the country to pay for oranges,
lemons, figs. olives. and the oil of that |
fruit, prunes, and conserves OF all sorts |
from currant jelly and raspberry jam to
preserved lines and orange marmalades.
With these may be catalogued the |
candied fruits of thousand kinds that
deck the dessert tables and delight the |
palates of such as can afford to indulge |
in such costly imported luxuriss.
1t is the mission of Los Angeles and |
her sister counties of Southern California |
to furnish these fruits and fruit prepara-
tions, not merely to the rich, but to the
millions OF the land. The most expen-
sive of these delicacies now regarded by
the people as unattainable Injuries will
become common on the table of those of
moderate means through the bene-
factions Of the climate and soil
of California. There ia not
one of the thousand kinds of
delicious Jams, preserves, mar
malades and conserves, turned out by
Crosse & Blackwell, of London, and ship
ped to all parts of the world, that cannot
be produced here in Los Angeles. AL.
ready beginning has been made in an
establishment on small scale that has
achieved absolute success 80 far as
quality goes. This firm takes all the figs
produced in this section to use in their
business. They would use twice as many
If they were procurable. Fine apricots
are also in demand. Steps are being
taken to enlarge the plant aud capital of
this firm, so as to afford facilities for
taking very large quantity of fine fruits
to convert into conserves, candied fruits,
jams and iellies. The day is near at
hand when this city, in the midst of this
remarkable fruit section, will not import
currant jelly or raspberry jam for
the use of her citizens, but when
she will export these products in
train loads. The development of the
beet sugar industry will play very i'm
portant part in this fruit preserving in
dustry, by enabling US to compete with
foreign manufacturers who now have an
advantage over US in cheaper sugar.
1t is by forecasting such views az
these that the true value of our land is
arrived at. 1t will not require forty
acres hers to supply family with the
necessaries of life. One-fourth that area
will maintain family in afflnence. It
is fast becoming region of ideal rural
homes, where the dwellers will be rich off
the peculiar products of orchards and |
fruit beds. The great need of the hour
is that there be plants in the center of
each district to take care of the fruit pro-
duced there. This is being done in a
very energetic manner, but is far from
being overdone.
AT THE meeting of the Diocesan Con-
vention of the Episcopalian Church in