The herald., 1894-12-31
THE FLORIDA FREEZE.

Telegraphic advices of the past "a
hours only too sadly-for Florida-con-
firm the previously reported disastrous
renults OF Jack Frost's visit to that state.
The damage to the orange and vegetable
crops is roughly estimated at 5000, 900.
This is the loss on crops alone; the loss
in real estate values must be much
greater, as freeze like this will greatly
shake the confidence OF prospective in
vestors in Florida orange lands. The
effects of the calamity to Florida will bs
long felt, and it will require years for the
esate to recover from the blow, even If
no further damaging fro ats should in the
meantime occur.
Far be it from the good people of
Southern California to gloat over the
misiortunes OF another section Of the
country. Rather let US sympathize with
the ill-fated denizens OF the dowery pen.
insula and hope that later reports may
show that the estimate of the dsmsge
has been exagg Grated.
But it is an i'll wind that blows no.
body good, 30 the adage reads. The
fact that it blows somebody harm lie no
reason why those whom it blows good
should not take full advantage of the
benefit. The destruction of one-half of
the orange crop in Florida cannot but
have a salutary effect upon the market
for Southern California oranges. A
formidable competitor is thus removed
from the field for the rest of the season
the whole season, in truth. for the
shipment of California fruit is just be-
ginning. The elimination of 100000
to 2,5OO,000 boxes of Florida fruit from
the market is bound to enhance prices
to marked degree. Surely Southern
California orange growers should derive
a handsome revenue from their crop
this year.
But let US not count our oranges be-
fore they are marketed. 1t is true that
the Southern California orange crop has
thus far escaped harm from wind or
frost, but in the light of past experience
it cannot be said that the crop is safe
until it has been gathered and packed
for shipment. There is plenty of time
yet for wind and irost to got in their
work but unless our climate should un-
dergo a radical change it will be impos-
sble for the mercury to get 90 low
in any part of the southern citrus
belt as it did Friday and Saturday
nights in Florida. Our climate 10 mere
diversified than that OF Florida. The
topography Of the country is such that
q blighting frost may occur here and
there, while other sections only few
miles distant escape untouched. Az
practically the same climatic conditions
prevail throughout the entire state OF
Florida, frost in one section means
frost all over. or at least over half OF the
state, and the late freeze seems to have
extended almost to Key West.
The very worst we have to fear in .
bad season is the probable loss Of one
fourth to one-hslf the crop by wind and
frost. The latter portion is very ex-
and it oftener happens that
the loss is less than 10 per cent than a.
high as 25. III is always safe, however.
to count on more or less frostbitten
fruit. and it will bshoovs shippers this
year more than ever, to be very
careful to let none OF it 60
east. A better opportunity never
offered, unless an unforeseen contingency
arises, to establish the reputation OF
California citrus fruits. The quality
this year is said to be exceptionally fine.
and none but the best should be ex.
ported.
Florida, in fact the whole Atlantic
coast from Cape Hatteras south, as we'll
as the entire gulf coast. is alOo a
heavy competitor OF Southern California
in supplying winter vegetables for the
eastern markets. AS the recent cold
wave extended over the entire district,
it must have nipped all the growing
crops. From this time forward, until
new CROPS can be raised in the blighted
section. shipments of Southern Califor-
MIA cabbagss, tomatoes. green peas.
string beans, celery, caulihower and
other garden truck should be largely