New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-10
CALIFORNIA FRUIT CROP.
Largest Yield on Record Expected
Porto RicQn Com petition.

Los Angeles. Cal. oct. tspeciaD.-The citrus
fruit growers Of Southern California estimate a
crop Of 5000 carloads OF oranges and lemons this
winter II expectations are realized it viii be tie
largest fruit yield on record. representing net
salue OF from SsOa0.ooo to SIs .OeooO0.
The crop for the season Just closed was dis
appointment 90 the grower for more reasons than
In the l-st place. the sizes were uneven. then
the frost did some damage. ana. finally the fruit
did not bring the prices il was expected 10 bring.
There were Two clements responsible for the lat
ter.
The coal strike made the cost % fuel high. and
money thai usually for fruit and such lux
rlries in the holiday season had 10 he used nay
Tor fuel Then the growers expected that nv hold
ing Of until the market became dull higher prices
would prevail. hut in this they were disappointed.
Those who let their fruit 80 at the outset NOT
emily disposed Of al their stock but they got
fancy prices. while those holding hack not only
suffered serious less IL DELAYS in transit but they
lad 10 be content with whatever prices the mar
ket offered.
The railroads were blamed for the delays in
routing. but a matter Of fact. they were not
~ fault Had been allowed 10 handle the
crop with steady shipments instead Of few hun
ored carloads time. there would have been no
trouble getting the fruit East on time and IN good
condition said official Of Of the initial
lines. The grower probably realizes this fact
now. The movement Of oranges usually begins
sust before Thanlsgivlne, and is supposed to con
1inue until late the following spring. Last year.
however the grower thought he would get better
prices by holdne back his fruit after the first
shipment OF Thanksgiving supplies. until the
Christmas holidays. and then. after the Christ
rush over. he again held hack in antici-
patton Of brisk January and February market.
About that time the tourist and colonist rush 70
rhe coast started. and tho result was We couldn't
handle the business il should he handled. II
allowed 10 move the fruit evenly this
there VIII be trouble landing Il in the East
ern markets in from eight 10 fifteen days after
DAY Of shipment
Conditions this wear are most favorable 10 grow
srs- Not only viii there be larger yield than
ever before but the quality and size OF the frui-
are exceptional The natural heavy rainfall last
winter gave uniform irrigation. which accounts
sor the evenness Of the fruit The recent storms
81 Florida are reported 10 have damaged the crop
shere somewhat. which. Of course. means a better
market for the California product.
While no serious effects OF Porto Rican compe-
triton have been fel. by Tie California orange
Tie future rather 5i.hIousI, ii, Csc no I7rotc i've
measures arc 3d2pted; 4 D Mott OF this city,
that in ten years The orange VIII DE one Of lie
The Porto Ricans' he saws. will be able to
compete with California. for they have many al
danger Of frost nor is irrigation necessary. Al
island and land them in Neyv-Yorll SIX days after
they have been picked. at a cost not eXceedins %
you must pay TO haul your California fruit TO the
During the four years that I have been in the
island scores OF Americans have gone there and
3ng oranges The trees now are from three 70 fou.
years old healthy. Of good size. and have
already begun to bear fruit Most OF these trees
budded from the Florida trees The native
orange Is Of fair size. thin skin. and If Won don't
object five six seeds il IS = fine eating
orange as grown anywhere The native fruit has
already been marketed i'm New-York and has had
a. fair welcome
Mr. Mott thinks the Southern California orange
growers only salvation in the future viii he
IN greatly reduced freight rates and faster trans
portation OF their product 10 the Eastern market.
p, rock bottom rates now ana rstber Than 7ns
further reduction IN the tariff they would prefer
not to handle the fruit Most of the cars used in
the transportation OF oranges and lemons Of
the type that cannot be used for ordinary freight.
they have 70 be brought hack simply much
dead weight A. faster transportation the
growers look for relief in this particular soon
IS the Interstate Commerce Commission gives its
decision IN the case Of the shippers against The
Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads for al
tempting control the routing Of the fruit. The
20 much better advantage + they were permitted
10 control the routing, instead az il being done by
tho initial lines.