New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-09
DAMAGE TO CROPS AND VEGETABLES.
ORANGE GROVES IN FLORIDA SUFFER- HEAVILY
PRICES LIKELY TO BE MUCH HIGHER.

ORANGE GROVES IN FLORIDA SUFFER HEAVILY
PRICES LIKELY TO BE MUCH HIGHER.
The report Of blight Of the fruit crop seems TO be
correct, and fruit OF all kinds apparently IS going
to bring high prices. The price OF oranges has al
ready Increased % per cent, and other fruit prob
ably will cost proportiorately as much, as with
reduction of the stock hand and the likelihood
OF reduced supply a decided increase In prices IS
expected The general effect of the two recent
cold snaps on agricultural communities has been
most disastrous. This is particularly true or
Florida where the blizzard Of last month swept
through the groves. The recent storm viii prob
ably bring ruin to the small fruit ana vegetable
producers Of the state
II will be remembered that in 1894 tho produc-
ton Of Florida oranges had grown to the total Of
nearly FIVE million boxes, resulting in an income 10
the State of about $lOO0oOOO annually. The severe
cold which visited Florida in 1880 injured the trees
to such an extent that some Of the most valuable
properties in the State were abandoned. In other
cases the owners cut the trees to certain size in
some instances down . the roots, and thus saved
part of their property. The cold wave Which
visited the State last year resulted in some in
Jury. but about two hundred thousand boxes were
harvested.
The recent cold was a repetition OF that
of 1895. so far its effects are concerned Many NY
trees will have be cut TO within a root OF the
ground and the young trees have practically oeen
oranges for next year Is now improbable. Recent
adviccs indicate "A production In the southern part
of Florida of more than $1,000 or lOVJl boxes,
which Will be harvested in october, November ana
December , 49,,
Pineapple culture which is also extensive. ana
which has been a source of great remuneration 10
the State has also been DESTROYED Inc same
thing is true of early vegetables, such as beans
and potatoes 4 man who is prominently ldentlhed
with the fruit trade said yesterday that FLORIDA -
almost paralyzed result of the second vista
ton of cold and he predicted that many non,resl-
dents of Florida. who own groves there VIII no
longer cultivate them So far AS Is known, none
have been abandoned so far. on the other hahu,
with the producer whose livelihood depends upon
his crop there is a decided tendency toward
immigration to Cuba and Porto Rico, Wnere IL IS
believed that the climate is suitable for fruit ana
vegetable products, without the danger OF having
the work OF years interfered with by storms.
What is true of Florida is also true of other
fruit-producng sections. The Central western
states particularly suffered severely I'm respec; 10
apple and peach trees. 49,.
In Georgia where the famous peaches OF last
vear resulted in bringing into the State about
* O00 COO it is thought that the loss OF the crop Is
complete Prominent growers have recently writ
ten 10 that effect 10 persons in this city
In Mississippi early vegetables have been IN,
jured and tho damage has extended 10 North ana
South Carolina.
California did not suffer. with tho exception OF
State north Of Los Angeles and between Iuare
County and Los Angeles The crop In California,
from recent advices promises to be large, ana the
danger OF frost being about past 1t Is likely
that the supply will be large enough to meet the
demands of the country AT large. as was the case
IN 1890
Early vegetables are likely to he scarce and high.