The sun., 1899-02-12
GROWTH OF THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.
Effect of Our Closer Relations with Porto
Rico and the Philippines.


Rico and the Philippines.
One OF the bureaus Of the Department OF
Agriculture is known as the Division of
PomoloEy." which is In charge of all Federal
inquiry as to the fruit industry Of the United
States. The importance of this division is
shown by the fact that at the last census there
were In this country more than 100000 acres
OF land devoted to tropical and scmi-tropical
fruits. The acreage has greatly increased
since. and the industry generally is certain to
increase still further by the closer commercial
connections which the United States is rapidly
establishing in the West Indies and in
the Philippines. The total value OF fruits
imported into the United States last
year was in excess OF Sl3,0OOOOO. and OF
bananas aud oranges alone more than $4,000
600 worth was imported from the West Indies
from the British West Indies chiefly. The
American exports OF fruits, OF which apples are
the chief item. amounted last year to nearly
$9.OoOOOO, the chief market for which was
England, though Germany and Canada took
very large share.
Those in charge OF the division of pomology
which they believe may be imposed upon them
this year. In addition to other subjects under
investigation II is intended that during the
next fiscal year a comnrehensive representa-
t0n worthE 81 d the dipPoTtanGe So 9t the fruit n
9r Paris s E1poson in 1863 59S t so1 evsd
that IN the present state OF the fruit industry
great benefit to producers and shippers would
genealogical resources and products.
The prospective increase in our fruit-pro-
duclng areas through the acquisition of ISL
ands makes desirable the extension OF invest
cation to such territory, and such investigation
OF acGuainting the American fruit growers
with the conditions which confront them. and
of the extra efforts in cultivation which do
mestic producers will be required to make.
most imnortanee its obligations TO, fruit
dealers rather than to the general public of
fruit buyers, which Is certainly to be benefit
ed by the additional supply from countries
suffering from the effects Of trade restrictions
which greatly curtailed the imports from them
into the United States. The island of Porto Rico
has heretofore sent fruits to the United States
to the amount only OF about $4,000 year on
the average. though in the year 1894 the total
ports, though the division Of pomology takes
no coRnl2ance Of the fact Porto Rico is rich in
native fruits. but the division Of pomology
sternly informs American fruit growers Of the
OF fruit culture by persons interested in the sale
OF lands upon these islands which is likely to
result in disappointment and financial loss to
many citizens;
TO be very generally entertained in unofficial
circles. The American imports of fruits exceed
the exports at present and have done SO for
number of years. The chief market is on the
supplies Is on the Pacific coast and no great
harm has como to American producers from
Florida fruit raiSng-Florida has 10000 acres
under orange trees and yields lemons and pine
apples In abundance-and an additional sup
ply OF fruits from the West indies now under
American rule wou Id probably. only result in
reducing the supply imported from English
territories.