New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
A NOTELTY IN ORANGES.
THE FIRST LOT GROWN IN ITALY FROM
FLORIDA SEEDS
FROM DEPRESSION CAUSED BY COOL
AND RAINY WEATHER.

AND RAINY WEATHER.
A decided novelty in the fruit market is 100 boxes
of choice oranges grown in Rodi. Italy, from seeds
| of the luscious Indian River oranges OF Florda.
| planted ten years ago They were brought here on
| the steamship Scinda. which arrived direct from
| Rodi on Friday. Louis Contencn & Son, Nos. and
StOnc-st.. the importers exhibited samples of the
oranges to many interested persons yesterday. The
fruit carefully packed in fancy tissue paper by
F. S Ciampl & Sons Of Rodi. VINO said TO be
the most extensive exporters Of fruit in Italy. 1t
was received in perfec; condition. in boxes contain
ing 16o POO 800 and $50 each. and haf-boxcs
containing 50. 100 and $50 each.
The fruit closely resembles Rodi oranges in size,
color and substance but Is little sweeter than the
Rods which have heretofore been the finest oranges
grown in Mediterranean countries. Mr.. Contencin,
the veteran head OF the firm says that the new
product is fully equal in every particular to the
regular Rodi fruit and that it will annually improve
in quality several years 20 come. Scions from
the new trees will be extensively grated upon the
native Italian trees, that IN a few years there
will be large crops of Florida-Rodi oranges II is a
little singular that some eighteen or twenty years
ago orange groves were started in Florida from
seeds obtained IN Italy Spain and other Mediterra-
mean countries. and that now. after many Florida
groves have been destroyed by frost and abandoned
seeds should be sent back from that State and an
improved kind OF oranges propagated from them.
Mr Contencin thinks that Florida will never again
produce her former enormous orange crops, on ac-
count OF the great risk of weather incurred
by the growers. The orange groves OF Rodi, which
is on the Adriatc Sea he says. sheltered by
high mountains that the weather is never sufficient
ly cold destroy the trees. az In Florida although
about twenty years ago entire crop of oranges
destroyed on the trees by an unprecedented
frost.
Some seeds Of California Washington navel or
anges were planted in Florida about seven years
ago. Thrifty trees have been grown from them,
but they will come into bearing till from two to
three years hence. Contencin Son have declined
private offer OF average rate of s. 80 box for
the entire invoice OF Florida-Rods. as they think
that higher rates can be obtained for them at the
| regular auction sales.
The wholesale fruit market. which opened with
considerable strength and activity last week soon
| became depressed by the setting IN OF cooler and
| rainy wea;her. Lemons declined p cents a box, and
| pineapples and bananas moved slowly az shaded
prices. Before the close Of business yesterday. how
ever the market had rallied and better prices We're
generally predicted for this week. especially should
warmer and dry weather prevail. The lemon mar
ket affected by heavy sales at other ports. a
condition which will not be experienced this We x.
There are now afoat and bound for American ports
2l92j0 boxes Of lemons. which will De distributed
as follows: Ncw-York, l5l.25O boxes: Boston, 33.joo
| boxes: New-Or,eans, 1880 boxes. The receipts Of
| lemons last week were GO 2cO boxes. aga!ns, 5000
| in th- corresponding week of last year The stock
OH hand has lately been greatly reduced, 50 that
| despite the large quantity on the way from Mel
iterrancan ports. importers looking with con-
| siderable confidence Tor more satisfactory trade.
| At this and other ports there will be 500 boxes
| offered at public auction this week
| Oranges continued firm throughout the week. and
closed strong yesterday Choice California ndv"ls.
| 10 fetch 81 box this week seedlings ana Io"ci
grades Of navels range from 81 % upwarL The finest
choice Rods from s. 20 IS - a box. sound Mcdijer-
ranean from 81 10 s. - a box, Messinas from
f. & barrel r6e stock Of cal}forna oranges
| now on hand is exceedingly limited. and Jamaicas
| are also scarce Tn" quantity now ahoat ana bound
hither from Mediterranean ports Is only $500 boxes
ana 1900 half-boxes which is by far the smallest
trade. OF this NewYork Will receive 1890 boxes and
| 800 half-boXcs and Boston 2coo boxes and 1900
angeS sparngly on account OF the ruling high rates,
but their consumption 'as been greany sinpistsd re-
ure OF the strawberry crop ami the generally poor
| condition Of the berries, caused by the recent
southern and Delaware strawberries range in
price at wholesale. from to 20 cents a quart. ac-
| huckjeberres which have become more Plentiful
berries from to 10 cents quart. 49,.
son is expected to arrive here tomorrow or Tues
day. and another will be due later in the week:
Thus far only few small lots have been received
| by express. and. while they were readily sold at
good prices. they were Of INSUFFICIENT quantity to
| apricots will be due here on Wednesday or Thurs
day.
| Pneapples are in increased supply. but prices are
steady. The receipts from Havana during the week
we're l6,2o6 barrels second shipment $40 cTates OF
| Two schooner loads due. and IT is said
| that at the time of their loading the pineapples
were the finest Bahamas that have been shipped for
many years.
| Bananas are still plentiful. and range In price
from 81 $7I2 81 6212 a bunch for 'hrsts." 81 10
81 l2 for seconds and 20 cents for thirds" Re
ceips have lately been comparatively small. and 1t
IS said are likely TO continue Higher prices are
predicted by importer, but the trade in general
docs not seem to be confident OF any material ad-
| vance.