The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-12-30
THE ORANGE TRAFFIC.
Mr.. II. B. Plant More Hopeful Since
Viewing the Groves.

Viewing the Groves.
VIII there be many oranges this sea
son?
This question in the light of last win
ter's experiences IN Florida is a very IN
terestins one just at present, ana per
haps no one could speak with more author
ity on the subject than IL. b Plant ptesl-
dent of the Plant system OF railroads,
which completely makes network over
Florida.
There has been much said recently in the
papers of Chicago and New York, where
the Florida orange claims its most ad-
vantageous territory, to the effect that the
killing frost of last winter has played SAD
havoc with the orange crop of the state
and that Florida viii fan short in its
orange production 100000 boxes this sea-
son. which means that the state VIII De
deprived of at least Sl5@,0o0 in trade, ara
the railroads lose the tariE on this vast
amount of traffic.
1t is very true that the severe weather
last winter killed nearly half the orange
groves of the northern part Of Florida,
but Mr.. Plant, who has just returned from
a visit to all parts of the state, declares
that the orange growers of central ana
southern Florida have no fear Of tie aI-
preaching harvest
when L went to Florida the last time"
remarked Mr.. Plant 10 The Constitution,
Il remarked, as we sped along on the
railroad, that everything Seemed Ike a
desert ard that / could scarcely realize
that 1 was in the same delectable land
had visited last winter. This observation
was made until l reached the central part
of Florida, and there / found orange trees
growing 1resh and green / had seen them
blossominS and 1 now saw them al IuA
bearing.
Il could scarcely believe my own eyes
friend of mine standing near as We en-
tered an orange grove, remarked: Can
AZ
my reply was after / had examined the
trees, Yes, tied on by the hand OF prOVi-
dence, Tor they have grown since the cold
wave of u year ago.
The truth is the orange groves OF CEN
tra1 Florida, which We're well taken care
of, have suffered but little from the cold
orange trees year ago was the first
disastrous frost We have had in that re-
gion of the state for thirty-two years.
There will probably not be another such
frost for many years 70 come.
But with all this there VIII be a fair
crop OF oranges grown in Florida this
year. OF course, the yield VIII not he
shown Oh the market abuudautly as il
has been for 4 number of years past and.
Of course, the scarcity Of oranges in the
market viii make the price 20 up 70 some
degree, but at the same time there viii
not be such loss to the public as viii
De naturally anticipated after all the
scare-crow stories that have been publish
ca IN the newspapers Of the northern mar
ket ceDterS.
There is one pleasing observation 10
make concerning the disaster which be
fell the farmers Of Florida last year and
That IS that the cold wave which killed
tleT orange crop groves has taught them
the lesson OF diversified crops and tncy
are now BUSY with the truck farms, grow
ing such Things as tomatoes, caaoa.e.
beans and many such things which md
ready market in the eastern ana norti-
western cities long before there is the
Si-s..lea~ evidence Of Neraure IL the rural
ulstrictS OF those sections.
believe that this cold wave viii serve