The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-06-20
AMERICAN ORANGE TRADE.
PHENOMENAL GROWTH OF A DO
MEsTIC INDUSTRY.

the oranges consumed in this country |
were obtained mainly from the Medi-
terranesn countries, the tart Sicilian
orange, however, being supplemented |
by the "sweet Havanas," which latter
have since been so completely sur
passed by the even more luscious
Floridas, the finest oranges in the
world, that they now practically exist
only in memory. Only three decades
ago the entire orange trade of this
country was controlled by few ex-
tensive importers. Business was then
done entirely on orders, the importers
sending their orders abroad every fall,
at which season sailing vessels, which
have since been entirely supplanted by
steamships, were chartered TO trans
port the fruit from Sicilian and other
Mediterranean ports to this country;
in fact, September was the month In
which business arrangements were an
nually made six months in advance OF
their fulfllment.
This method of conducting business
existed for many years, but in 1863,
the growers of Sicilian oranges, who
had previously sold their crops en-
tirely on orders, began to ship them
to this country on consignment. The
old importers then gradually aban-
doned their original methods and be-
gan to receive fruit as consignees, in
stead of importing it. New firms en-
tered the field and strong competition
sprang up in the business, which was
then profitable, as may be seen by the
fnct that single New York firm, IN
one season, realized a clear profit OF
over $50, 900 on its Sicilian consign-
ments alone.
About fifteen years later the Amer
lean fruit firms we're largely super.
| seded by Italians, the fruit growers OF
Sicily and the native shippers of Pal
ermo and other Mediterranean ports
sending their sons and relatives to
this country to establish firms, till now
only three or four distinctly Ameri-
lean firms of prominence remain IN
the business. During the last ten
years, however, the importation OF
oranges from the Mediterranean has
steadily decreased, and, while large
quantities continue to come from Sic
ily, the imports from Spain have
dwindled into utter insigniicance. The
decline of importation was brought
about by the rapid growth of the do
mestic orange industry, which has
been most remarkably developed. For
eign growers at first ridiculed the
idea that they could ever be deprived
of the American market, in which they
had long been accustomed to reap
bountiful haryests annually, but their
ridicule was soon turned to regret.
About that time, only single decade
ago, the Florida orange industry
sprang into prominence as if by magic,
and the product of the Florida groves
has since swiftly and steadily IN
creased, till now the annual crop Is
estimated at fully 1000, 600 boxes, and
it is yearly augmented.
California has since come into great
prominence as an orange-producing
State, and last year supplied 2,0OO,.
600 boxes, which were distributed
mainly through the West and North
west, only limited quantity reaching
the Atlantic seaboard, on account oi
the high rates OF freight, it costing
S7R cents a box to transport oranges
from the Pacific Slope to New York
by rail, while those from Florida,
coming by steamship, are transported
for fifty cents box, giving the Flor
ida growers an advantage of 37i cents
a box.
Ten years ago there we're probably
no less than $50 firms receiving the
delicious Florida oranges directly from
the fragrant groves, and, in fact, Il
was said that well.worded circular
and brass stencil.plate were the only
prerequisites for procuring abundan
consignments from the contding grow
ers. The number of receivers in Thu
city, however, has rapidly decreased
and there are now not more than tel
or twelve firms of noteworthy prom
inence in the trade here. When ther'
was such u large number OF hrms II
the trade there werc many whose busi
ness methods were open to criticism
and who duped the orange growers anC
the public, but they have happily beeI
driven out of the trade, which is nov
conducted by reputable firms and ol
strictly business principles.
The rapid growth of the Floridi
orange trade has seriously interfereo
with the importers, rs is strikingll
. shown by the fact that, while there
were / 79S, 900 boxes of Siciliau orange
} imported in l8S6-S7, there were only
$50, 900 boxes imported in lS9l-92.
Despite the difficulties with which
! the growers have to contend almos
| every season, the crop continues stead
| lily to increase. Most of the trees II
l the orange groves of Florida are nov
: over four years old and will soon be il
full bearing, when, 1t is estimated, tn
l crop will be Mt least 10, 900, 600 boxes
S There we're over 900, 600 boxes o
= Florida oranges received in this cit.
s alone last year, while less than 800
d. boxes were received from California
whose last crop was 2, 500, 900 boxes.
The California crop is also rapid,
increasing, there having been $500,
} 600 boxes grown last year against ?,
) 900, 900 the previous year. Orange
2 are also being successfully grown i
4 Arizona and Louisiana. The crop
4 here are yet small, but are increasing
: and with the immense and gTowin