The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-01-26
WHAT IS TO BE DONE?
ORANGE GRO EBRs IN COUNCIL

Anderson.
Gen. Bullock presided and Myr0n
Gillett acted as secretary.
There was an expression of views
on the serious condition Of affairs sur
rounding the orange industry among
the leading ones of Florida and the
necessity for prompt and immediate
action.
To begin the active agitation of the
important subject it was determined
TO call a meeting Of the orange grow
ers of the state III Oeala, Tuesday,
February 9Th, and al invitation ex-
tended TO Dudley Adams. of Orange
county, to address the gathering.
Judge Bullock and r. L. Anderson
were requested TO draw up call ask
ing the cooperation Of every orange
grower in the state aad their pres
enee on the occasion, and that the
call be ordered printed III every paper
in Florida.
The following committee was APP
pointed to prepare a program and the
work to be considered aud acted on
February 9Th, consisting Of General
and Judge Bullock, Major Rocks, F.
G. Buffum and Myron Gillett.
Our readers viii please take notice
that not only the orange growers of
the county and state are cordially III
vited to be present on February 9Th,
but al persons interested in that and
kindred pursuits, We trust that the
attendance will be large, for informa-
ton not generally disseminated and
facts not thoroughly understood by
our people viii be given q thorough
ventilation
CALL FOR a CONVENTION.
At large and enthusiastic meeting
of the orange and lemon growers Of
Florida, held in 0cala, January y,
1894, when the present depressed, dis
tressed and threatened situation of the
industry was discussed by prominent
and leading growers of the state, the
undersigned was authorized to call Il
convention Of the lemon and orange
growers of the state, which is hereby
done, to meet in 0cala, February 9th,
1894, for the purpose Of more effec-
tuai organization and the peFfecting Of
such plans as may be deemed expe-
dent and necessary to save the indus
try.
Distinguished talent viii meet with
US and We earnestly appeal to the grow
srs Of the state TO give Us their pres
ence. sympathy and cooperation. and
meet with Us. ROBERT BULLOCK,
Attest: Chairman.
VI. +. GILLETr, Secretary.
The following petition i being sent
to orange growers for their signatures:
10 lee Senate Of TIE Cl,5tea States
The orange and lemon growers Of
Florida, without regard to party or
political affiliations, wish to call year
attention to the pressing need fer
protective tariff for their fruit. There
are at present in our state shout 5000
persons who own orange aad lemon
groves. We have invested in this IN
dustry nearly 5000, 900, and now
produce from three to 1--WE million
boxes Of fruit annually Our fruit be-
gins to come 10 market in August and
the last shipments are made ia April.
Thus with Florida and California or
anges, the market Of the United
States can be fully supplied the year
round. In ealtivating more than 40
700 acres of orange and lemon trees,
we give employment to large labor
force, paying for ordinary labor, 81,
and for skilled labor from 3 to s. per
day, while our Mediterranean COM
petitor pays put a few cents per day.
1t costs Us 70 produce, gather, pack
and freight box Of osanges TO New
York nearly Sl.5o, while the foreigner
can pay the present duty AMI lay
down in New York a box of oranges
at a cost of Sl.25. Thus, owing to the
great difference in the cost of labor,
we are undersold in our own market
In our effort to dispose of our pro-
duct, We frequently find our markets
very much demoralized through the
heavy importation of foreign fruit.
and in consequence We are obliged to
market our fruit st loss. With the
heavy increased production which
must come from an extensive plant
ing of trees, both oranges and lemons,
in Florida, California, New Mexico
and Arizona, we can fully supply our
own home market, and we believe
that it should be preserved TO us by
placing upon all foreign oranges and
lemons duty of 81 per box.
We therefore pray your honorable
body to give US such provisions in the
pending tariff bill as viii enable US 70
overcome the difference in the values
Of labor between the old country and
the new, and preserve our industry
from destruction
The extraordinary low price Of or
anges this season has caused number
OF our leading orange growers ana
those interested IA the orange BUSH
ness to study the gravity Of the situa-
tion in all its bearings and have come
TO the conclusion, irrespective Of poll
tics. that the orange industry, being
different In many particulars from
any other industry in this or other
states Of the Unions must have sup
port and help from the low. priced and
long hours Of labor and cheap freight
Of the millions Of boxes Of imported
fruit that reaches our shores annually