The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-08-16
Mr.. williams
GREEN FRUIT views
ADVISES Y: Convention to 90
Slow on Fixinu Standard.

"'UW uii Fixing standard.
MIR. F. II. Williams one of Cresccr,
Cily'S leading and most successful citrns
run growers, in an article in the Flori,
ga lmes.Union of the Sth inst. gives
me Gainesville convention, called 10
Tx a standard of maturity for fruit. some
very sensible advice. The News gives
the entire article for the benefit of
many hereabouiS who have not read if.
The citrus industry is one of Flor.
da'S most important and valuable onns
loHr paper has always recognized this
ana am, therefore, writing this with
me request that you give it publication.
Regarding this muCh.diSCuSSed uues
'lon OF mature and immature fruit and
especially the meeting of growers called
ior August 10, at Gainesville, for the
purpose, as understand il, of hearing
me views OF growers themselves: Such
a meeting could hardly have been called
al place more announcement for most
growers 10 reach, or at a time when
more growers would be out of the state,
or away on vacations. However, the
meeting is called for This time. am
delerrlng going North and changing
plans so as to be able 10 attend; and, il
IS hoped that the growers generally will
go 10 the meeting even al personal in.
convenience, so that the commissioner
OF agriculture and the state chemist may
nave the opinions OF as many as possible
on this question SO important to all of
US.
My own position is that of grower
TINS year oil twenty thousand boxes
and representing growers of
more than one hundred thousand
boxes in this community. That posi-
ton is Rlat it is important and most ad
viSablc that this question be recognized
as being in an experimental stage, and
that we should feel our way and 90
slow, and not attempt 10 be too drastic,
or TO make move that will throw the
growers IN worse Jog than they are
now All progressive growers are
favorable TO putting stop to the great
amount OF green fruit being shipped out
as there can be no question il is a big
injury 10 the state and TO the growers.
This can be done after actual experience
shows how is the best way. Some
think by amending the law providing
Tor inspection is the most workable
plan. Others by setting dates for re
speCtive varieties. And many others by
establishing a chemical standard. But
the opinion of the writer is that any
plan TOO drastic will defeat its own pur-
pose, and prevent proper amendment
of the present law, after il is found what
is really best, by turning the growers
against the whole question.
The average grower is not in the
happy position of few who have taken
pendent wealth outside of citrus fruits
He, the average grower, has practically
his entire capital invested in the bust
ness. His income is entirely dependent
upon this business. Risks by freezes
must emphatiCally be taken into conSid |
Grafton, and any action tending in its
results TO prevent fruit, if reasonable
care is taken by honest growers, from
being shipped before Christmas would
be both unwiSe and unjust and throw
the early market entirely to Porto Rico
and Cuba, and bring Florida fruit in
vast quantities, in the market with Cal |
ifornia fruit. do not say this is at all |
but that might be the result i!
too high a chemical standard is attempt |
ed.
MY suggestion is to go slow, and !
believe the great majority of the growers
feel the same way. hope large num-
Der of growers will attend this Gaines
vile meeting and express themselves.
"E. II. WILLIAMS"