Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-13
THE PRIZE WINNERS.

! 1t is always a very dlfhcult TASK 1of
Judges at fairs to render satisfactory de-
cisions in making awards and 1T is
always matter to chasten the pride OF
the winners, and to tighten the dlsap-
! pointment Of the losers to remember
that man is not infallible, and that the
best and fairest men often make mis-
takes more or less serious. The task
resting ON the shoulders of the commit
tees who made the awards at the citrus
fair now open in this city, was pecu-
liarly hard one. So many OF the COM
petitors reached such high grade for
abundance and quality of fruit and for
artistic arrangement OF design that dis
elimination had to be very close in
reaching a decision.
Fair Pomona certainly has cause to
feel pride in the distinction she has
won as a producer of citrus fruits. She
carries away the highest prize for a
locality making the finest general dis
play. A citizen of Pomona got the Sec
ond prize for the best display of Wash
ington navel oranges. Three producers
of Pomona took the first, second and
third prizes ior the best displays OF
budded fruit other than navels. Still
another Pomona grower carried off the
first prize for the best display OF seed
lings. Two growers OF this enterprising
city got the first premiums, one for the
best display OF st. Michaels, and the
other for the best of Mediterranean
sweets. No less than half a score OF
times the name OF Pomona appears in the
premium list. No one who has seen
much OF Pomona orchards or their
products will for moment question the
fact that she stands in the very fore
front of localities where oranges are pro-
duced
Redlands, younger place, steps dan
gerously close on Pomona's heels in this
competition. Her list of prizes is very
long one, and all her honors are de-
served.
While Riverside made no general dis
play, some of her citizens came in and
found fitting rewards for their excellent
displays. 1t is matter of regret that
this most splendid of all the gems in
the citrus belt did not come forward in
force this year. 1t was mistake on
the part of some of her people, which
was of no special benefit to beautiful
Riverside.
A long list of places in all the south
ern counties was represented in very
complete manner. Among them were
Ontario, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Rivera,
Artesia; and Crescenta Canada was
there and took the first prize for the
best display OF lines.
1t must not be supposed that the full
merits OF all places as producers OF
oranges are to be measured by the prizes
taken at a fair. For example, Duarte,
which a year ago took nearly all
the prizes going, did not fare so well
this year. Several OF the growers in
that district won merited distinction 4;
but tor some reason the district as a
whole did not achieve the distinction
its fruits, for excellence and quantity
would Justly entitle the place to. No
finer fruit is to be found in the whole
citrus belt than there; and some of the
largest and most thrifty orchards in
this section are there.
Taken as a whole, the fair is most
notable achievement, and demonstrates
the fact beyond the limit of reasonable
question that here is the true home of
the citrus fruit. The display is great
triumph, and the story of its splendor
will quickly be borne to the ends of the
country, and serve to turn much at
tention this way. We all share
in any reward won by any locality. 1t
is all in the family, or rather all the
benefits belong to the same body, and
whatever limb receives the benefit at
first, it is felt at once in all parts of the
system. The glory all belongs to South
ern California, and she is alone in her
high distinction as the most perfect and
eclectic Of ali regions, as viewed from
the horticultural point of view. There