The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1905-10-06
|. PACKER ESTIMATE
100000 BOXES.
sgfgures May BE Increased Later,
MEMORABLE Conditions Continued
Iution Against Unripe Fruit-Good
,pearance Generally ofTrees.


un b in Florida
~ he Packer has about 1000 paid
h. .rbers in the State OF Florida who
~ |ly assisted in compiling this pa
lesl orange and grapefruit crop esti-
ine this year. In addition TO the in
up ation obtained in this way The
'ho ter also has reports from several
% correspondents, who have made
~ ial efforts to get as near the facts
Il ossible. After going over all the
!, dependence at hand, figuring out
NJ probable damage rendered by the
E re Of last January, and giving due
4 federation to the number Of new
4 ves coming into bearing, The Pack
: faces its estimate at about 100000
! es Of oranges and grapefruit for
entire State. .
While at this writing the outlook is
million and half boxes, the
der must take into consideration
possibility OF swollen fruit later,
oh would naturally increase the
Ihber Of boxes to 10000 and per-
2, 900, 900, should the growing sec
as be visited by a series Of rains.
THE quality Of the crop is much
or than for several years. A few
ctions complain of rust, but the ma
rity Of the reports show that the bulk
the fruit is generally bright. Coarse
ess is spoken Of in some sections, but
hch reports nearly always include re-
rence to the fruit as being clean.
"The freeze of last January did con-
derable damage in the northern part
b the State which is noticeable in the
|eports from these points.
"Were it not for the increase in the
production further south, the yield
would not have near reached the mil
lion and a half mark. The trees have
been particularly healthy this season,
|and while the white fly has done some
damage il has not visited the nnhealth-
fulness on the fruit il did last year,
Very few complaints as to this pest are
heard among the growers.
prices in the groves, for the bare
fruit as it hangs on the trees, rule
from 9Oc to $l.25, and up to $3.50,
quality and distance to the loading
stations considered Grapefruit prices
range from 81 90 to 50 %. The average
,5fices for oranges boxed and delivered
10 the station range from $3.50 to 81.
Az some outlying points which neces-
3itate long haul, the outside figure is
! little low. Grapefruit is selling up
- S2.5O@2.75 delivered to shipping
oint. A few growers are holding out
|or higher prices.
1.-THE fruit. both oranges and grape
tbit, is running "a popularsizes, which,
mentioned above, VIM continue pro-
H. ed weather conditions do not effect
The winds have been low also, as
general thing in the heaviest pro-
Gag sections, so that prioked and
ptured fruit makes up very small
o-tent Of the crop"
Editorially the Packer says; "After
making thorough canvass Of the or
ange and grapefruit growing sections
OF FLORIDA, The Packer respectfully
submits its annual crop guess, 500
600 boxes. This for the edification OF
the trade. Other guesses have been
made, it is true, some Of them as low
as $4,000 boxes. We cannot see after
going over the information sent by our
Florida correspond ents-which togeth-
er with answers to 1000 letters Of in
quiry sent our subscribers there, why
this low estimate should be made.
Such figures do just as much harm as
do those issued lately by well known
operator, who says the yield will ex-
coed 2,0OO, 600 boxes The Packer does
not swear by its estimate, and the
prognosticator who says he is abso-
lutely correct in this wise has another
guess coming
'The shipping OF green fruit is again
the main topic OF conversation among
growers. Several writers 70 The Pack
OF say "warn our people against ship
ping too soon" The experience OF past
seasons should be all the warning
needed. 8f
mot Florida orange should leave
the4grove till November /. A few
could be shipped October 10. but this
is too soon. Don't kill the sale by
shipping green and unmarketable fruit.
II doesn't pay. OF course, you'll find
this out to your sorrow II you ship, but
why not profit by the experience Of
others2
"Tle crop this season is Of much bet
Ter quality than last year and buyers
arc paying SOC TO 81 20 on the trees ac-
coruips 10 quality Prices I. 10. b. de-