The herald., 1897-12-23
FROZEN FRUIT
A Third of the Orange Crop
Probably Lost
C0LDEST DAY SINCE 1883
FROSTY SNAP SIMILAR TO THAT
OF '94
coLDEsT DAY SINCE 1888
Various Opinions and Views-Reports
From Producing Districts Very
Conflicting

Tuesday morning last was the coolest
in Los Angeles since 1888, and from the
10th to the 22d of this month this region
has experienced a cold spell almost
Identical, except for greater severity,
with that Of Jan. Sd to 9th, 1894, which
froze about one-third of the orange and
lemon crops.
1t is impossible for any one to ex-
actly estimate the damage done at the
present time. Careful estimates by
equally good authorities range from less
than 20 per cent to more than 30 per
cent. Up to yesterday an ignorance Of
the cold snap and utter lack Of informa-
tion of any damage done was the pre-
vaillng assumption among those inter-
ested. Yesterday many reports Of dam
age were current from growers, almost
Invariably to the effect that II am not
hurt, but my neighbor is badly hit"
Among shippers absolute denial Of any
frozen oranges was sometimes coupled
with the assertion that competitors were
shipping frozen oranges by the carload.
Heavy estimates Of damages by one
shipper were explained by others as
biased by ownership in cars of rejected
oranges in eastern markets, which such
reports would help to sell. In gauging
the reliability of estimated damage by
those interested, who are in consequence
best posted, the controversial policy of
George Elliot's innkeeper becomes a
golden rule: 1.-The truth lies atween ye,
gentlemen; the truth lies atween ye."
tA L.. -.
agency can accurately measure now
the need Of injury done the crop, it is a
fairly safe estimate from the reports
gathered by The Herald from every Sec
ton of the orange belt yesterday that
about one-third the crop is now frozen
and will stay so, no matter what reports
become current.
The freezing of oranges bursts the
juice cells and the juice escapes by
evaporation through the skin or other
wise leaving a worthless product, dry
and pithy. but this change takes several
days of warm weather to consummate,
and few are the experts bold enough to
claim that any one can detect freshly
frozen oranges except by cutting them
open early in the morning to see if there
is ice in them. Doubtless this has been
done by most Of the growers, and the
argument is advanced by one large
shipper that If the oranges were freez-
ing to the extent claimed by some then
all these growers would want to ship
at once, whereas they do not. Another
shipper argues. however. that this is due
to the fact that expensive experience in
shipping frozen oranges has made the
grower wise, and that the shipment OF
fifteen hundred cars has, already
brought nearly a n1illionl of dollars into
the Golfers of the growers, and they are
not so hard pressed for money as upon
occasions heretofore when tempted to
hurry off their frozen fruit and wreck the
good name of their product. Then, too,
the same experience has taught them
that If half the crop is lost the other half
is worth twice as much, with only half
the freight to pay, and the grower is
thus content to wait.
George Franklin, in charge Of the
weather bureau here. says the present
cold spell began on the 10Th inst, and
the thermometer has since ranged as
follows: