Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-27
THE CURRENT ORANGE CR0P-C0NslD-
ERATIONS FOR AN ESTEEHKD
CONTEMPORARY.

Our esteemed contemporary, tnc
Times, in its issue of yesterday, had
some comments to make on the HERALD's
remarks about the orange situation. This
journal has grounded its position on two
celebrated aphorisms. The fret is that
of Davy Crockett, 'sBe sure you're right,
and then go ahead" The second is that
of Abraham Lincoln, who, at a critical
stage Of the war, said. at is not wise to
swap horses in crossing stream"
To be little franker than we had
desired to be, the Porter Brothers of
Chicago have started out to corral the
orange crop this season. They have a
large lobby, if We may use that express
sion, working for them. As a matter of
fact, last year was the most fortunate in
the history Of orange growing and Of
orange sales known to the grower in
Southern California. We say Southern
California, because the shipments from
any other counties outside of Los
Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego
the latter really added out of sheer
courtesy-do not amount to one orange
in ten thousand. Now Porter Brothers
are gentlemen of great energy and bust
ness aptitude, but they do not fill the
whole horticultural horizon by q long
shot.
The Times says that the season is far
advanced, and that contracts have not
yet been closed. This is true. But the
fact should not be overlooked that to at
tain the best results for the orange of
Southern California it would be we'll
that not q golden sphere should be
shipped before the middle of March.
The stories about both European and
Floridian shipments OF oranges are
largely roorbacks. AS a matter OF fact,
the Florida crop this year is a small one.
great stretch of the orchards have
been devastated by the extremely cold
weather, thus killing both the current
crop, and, in many cases. the trees
themselves.
We assure our esteemed contempo-
rary, the Times, that the HERALD is not
only not hostile to but exceedingly
friendly to the organization of an Orange
Growers association. We stand in with
it most heartily. But has the happiest
time been chosen for such an organiza
ton, just at juncture when the ener-
gies of established agencies for placing
our oranges in extensive circuits would
be more acceptable than ever? Why
discard these people? The present crop
once out of the way, we can very well
concede that an Orange Growers associ-
alton would be an admirable idea. But
why ''s-yap horses in crossing stream"
The prices realized for oranges last year
were highly gratifying. Why throw ex-
listing agencies for the sale Of oranges
cut of gear before we are sure that bet
ter agencies are ready to replace them I?
1t is of course very easy to say that
the orange growers are thronging for
ward tumultuously to join the new move
ment. But are they? As matter of
fact they are not. The proposition, then,
by the Times, Is to throw
away the staff upon which we leaned
last year before we can even hope to be
rendered crutch by the new aspirant
for horticultural favor.
The HERALD's proposition is that OF
st. Paul, which was substantially to try
all things and to hold fast to that which
was found to be good. This journal
hopes, some day, to see great and sue
cessful Orange Growers association,
ofiicered by competent people, and with
a large working capital. To such an
we shall cheerfully accord
most cordial and spontaneous co-opera-
ton. But these things grow up deliber-
ately. They require time to mature.
They ought to be entirely free from out
side initiation or dictation. There is
plenty of time to organize such a move
ment with view to the future. 1t is
too late to attempt it with a view to the
present.
Meanwhile, the patent fact is that the
stock Of the Orange Growers association
is going a-begging.