The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1907-06-19
A Polk County Orange Grove.

The Polk County Record tells about
a grove in that section, which is re-
markably profitable and which also
contains a tree the fruit on which is
not yet fully ripe, but will be at its
best in July. Such a variety, II OF
good quality, would be valuable add1-
ton to the list of oranges grown IN
this state The Record says:
H. c. Conner, the extensive orange
grower has returned from St. Peters,
burg, where he attended the annual
meeting of the State Horticultural
Society. He was very we'll pleased
with the work accomplished at the
recent meeting and is of the opinion
that such meetings prove OF vast ben
eft to the interested ones.
Record readers are familiar with the
fact that Mr.. Conner has one Of the
finest orange groves in the state, which
has been the subject Of much favor
able comment on various occasions.
After visiting groves in this locality
and at points in HillsbOrough county,
during his visit last week to that sec
ton, he was convinced that he has
been highly favored during the past
six months, while the cold and drought
played havoc with many Of the groves
throughout various sections Of the
state.
A representative Of this paper had
the pleasure of talk with Mr. Con-
ner few days ago, and in a con-
hdent tone he said that his crop this
coming fall would be about 5000 boxes,
which means a falling off of about
onethird from that Of last shipping
season. In speaking Of the prices of
oranges, Mr. Conner said: my or
anges on the trees last year netted
me $I.32, while the year previous the
average was $I.47. I estimate that
this year, with the misfortune thar
has befallen the orange industry, they
will net me at least $500 per box.
My trees look in the best Of condition,
and | am very we'll pleased with my
prospects from financial standpoint,
but am indeed sorry for many other
growers who, at the meeting in St.
Petersburg, reported their crops as
being entirely lost. Winter Haven had
quite delegation at the meeting, and
while they gave out that there would
be a falling off in the crop, | do not
think they will feel the effects of the
freeze and drought, because the prices
will naturally advance which will
more than offset the small yield"
Mr.. Conner has at his grove a tree
which will ripen its fruit in July and
within the past several days he has
had numerous inquiries in reference
to the tree and it's fruit. These in
quiries are the result Of his exhibit
ing in St. Petersburg, week before
the meeting, some smooth skin or
anges, which will be at their best in
July He says this fruit attracted much
attention among the members of the
association, and many parties were
anxious to secure seedlings. The fact
that the fruit is ripe in July has arous-
ed the curiosity Of many growers.
G. L. Taber, of Glen St. Mary, Fla,
and Prof. Hume, both authorities on
horticulture, visited Barlow Monday,
coming here for the purpose of seeing
the Conner grove After taking a
look at the tree above mentioned and
the quality of the fruit that it pro-
duces, they made Mr.. Conner an offer
to purchase controlling interest in
the tree. He stoutly refused to con-
slider any offer.
Messrs Taber and Hume said that
the Conner place was the finest piece
Of orange grove property that has
come under their observation.