The record-union., 1894-02-08
NORTHERN CITRUS CULTURE.
The Los Angeles Herald says:

Inc Los Angeles f1SfQ6O says:
There is an element of unfairness in the
orange and lemon display OF the northern
citrus belt that ought not to pass without
mark. The fruit is everything that could be
desired. 1t has all the beauties that one would
look for in the golden spheres. The fact will
not be apparent to the casual observer, how
ever, that the region of country on which
such fruit can be grown in the northern and
central counties is very limited in extent, and
that a commercial proposition they cut
and can cut but an incOnsideIable figure AS
to shipments, it is four carloads as against
1000. The spectacle itself is specially at
tIactive, but it is liable to deceive those who
do not look below the surface. Ii will cost
some people great deal to learn this truth.
There is no element of unfairness about
the display referred to: none whatever
No concealment has ever been made of
the actual TRUTH or OF the true conditions
in the center and north; nor has there
been any Misrepresentation whatever.
The north and center were not origin
ally engaged in citrus fruit culture. Those
sections were devoted to agriculture and
deciduous fruit cultivation, with mining
both valley and foothill. Commercially
citrus fruit growing did not for many
years engage our attention.
But, convinced a few years ago that cit
rus fruits could be raised in all this sec
ton for profit, as we'll as ornament ex-
periments were made and every one
proved successful. In at least seven of
the counties citrus fruits can be and are
now grown for market. and with success.
The area in which this industry may be
proftably prosecuted is not yet known in
its full extent, but it is large enough to
industry of great numbers of people.
The number of carload lots shipped
from either section-north or south-cuts
no figure whatever in the one great vital
question, namely: that the ability to pro-
duce is an unfailing index to the charac-
ter of the climate. This ability is mani
fest throughout an area comprising dis
trict territorially larger than the whole of
Southern California. But just what is
adapted TO the highest commercial profit
ableness in citrus fruit growing is not yet
known, and will not be for some time
It will cost no one a dollar to learn the
exact truth about all that Northern and
Central California claims for soil, climate
or any other advantages. The whole
matter is an open book for whosoever
chooses to read.
1t is admission enough for US when the
Herald concludes, as it does. that the
citrus fruit of Northern and Central Cali
fornia show in proof of capacity sis
everything that could be desired"
Whether the region is or is not very
limited" in which such fruits can be
grown, is a matter that time will deter
mine along with our disposition to ex-
pertinent and invest in that direction.
But of this be assured. no man has been
or ever will be deceived as to the capa-
bility of any section or of any part of any
section in the north and center to grow
any particular thing.
The spectacle at the Northern Citrus
Fair in San Francisco is not 'liable to
deceive' any one. 1t stands for pre-
cisely what it is, without cloak, conceal
ment or misrepresentation. 1t proves
that citrus fruits, in Everything as good
as could be desired" are grown here,
just where they are grown; to what ex-
tent; in what commercial volume; under
what conditions; at what cost; with what
profit, and with what reasonable expec-
tation of enlargement 1t proves that the
citrus fruits of this section are CONNER
cially more valuable, because of their
better shipping and keeping qualities and
their freedom from parasites that affect
more southerly groves.
1t shows, also, that there is not and
never has been single golden citrus
globe frozen in the north, injured or re-
tarded in any manner by climatic condi-
tions, normal or abnormal. Can the
Herald say as much for its favored sec
ton, for the prosperity of which al we Of