The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-08-23
WILEY & COMPANY


Analytical and Consulting Chemists.
Baltimore, Nd,
July Is, 1912.
Florida Citrus Exchange,
Tampa, Fla.
Gentlemen:
We have yours of recent date, and
have noticed that in the Tampa
Morning Tribune of Friday, July 10,
1912, there appeared an article writ
ten to Mr.. J. c. Chase of Jackson
vile, Florida by Messrs. Genth. e
Adamson, chemists, in Philadelphia,
Penn.
In their letter to Mr. Chase they
criticise the work carried on the past
winter by the Florida Citrus Ex-
change and incidentally, it seems
to be a slap at the chemists who con-
Quoted the experiments. This being
the case. we wish to write an open
letter in reply to their charges.
They first claim it is impossible;
second, that it is not advisable: third,
they state that this step has been ia
ken from a standpoint of personal adj
vancement, both as regards the large
grower and also the chemist. We
would like to ask why such a law or
ruling would be impossible?
From the experiments carried on,
We have been able to gather data to
enable us to suggest some limits be-
tween the ratio of Acid to Sugar con-
tent which will be broad and fair to
all who wish to conduct their bust
ness as conscientious, fair-minded
men should. To anyone who has
done an extensive amount of
work on the various fruits, this is
not or does not seem impossible, for
the Acid and Sugar content play .
very important part in the develop.
ment of the fruit. Not only does il
effect the taste, but it is also a critic
rion by which the orange may be
judged. We have found, in immature
fruit, that the ratio falls below seven
but that practically all the well
known varieties of Florida oranges
have a ratio between eight and ten
when they are matured sufficiently to
market This is not a scheme that
has been Matched over night, but this
question has agitated the industry fol-
years, and it is only after long and
careful thought that this plan was
suggested as a possible solution OF
the immature fruit problem. We
who buy this fruit in the Northern
markets for home consumption, know
from experience that we often get
stuck during the early season with
fruit that has been artifcially ripen
ed
Would it not then be advisable
from a standpoint of fairness to al
concerned to pass such a ruling
This will not favor the large man
but it will eliminate the undesirable
factor in the Florida Orange Industry
| who has been and is now shipping
| green fruit.
In no case did We receive an orange
that had a ratio below seven that we
considered ready for consumption 1t /.
| true that the same ratio does not ap
ply TO all varieties and to all local.
ties. but the ratio of Acid to Sugar
shall be such that it will be fair tc
all varieties and to all localities. Dur
| ing the last season We have had sam
Piles of oranges of different varieties
and different localities, picked from
the trees in different stages Of ma
/ turity. and have carefully tested
same with view of arriving at some
| fair conclusions in the matter.
We believe that if the Philadelphia
gentlemen had the same opportunity
to study the subject as we, that they
would find the Acid to Sugar ratio {
| means by which the Citrus Industry
| may be purified. The Northern mar
| kets are using more California or
anges than ever before, and we be
/ lieve that in order to hold their own
! the Florida growers must take step:
I to prevent immature fruit being ship
ped TO market. and to our minds, the
/ only way out of the situation for the
/ Florida grower is to adopt an Acid Il
Sugar standard.
Yours very truly,
Wiley & Company,