Arizona republican., 1913-03-21
The Citrus Outlook in Arizona

(By A. w. Morrill, State EntomologisO
 Since the first week of the present year the citrus outlook in Arizona has changed materially in more than one respect One who is not familiar with the situation might expect that with the unprecedented cold wave of early January there could be change except for the It is the writer's purpose this article present a foreview of the citrus industry especially affected by the late climatic disturbances"
 The cold demonstrated many be- heved that no important citrus growing section of the United States safely be considered absolutely proof against injurious freezes. The effects of the 1913 freeze in the Salt River Valley were not as destructive the history of freezes in other citrus growing sections would indicate This favorable outcome undoubtedly o the thoroughly dormant condition of the trees resulting from the continuous cold, although not injuriously frosty nights of December. We expect in future occasional freezes of sufficient severity to kill to the ground improperly protected citrus between and four years old, and of sufficient severity to destroy young wood on the older trees, also very rarely freezes which will cause serious losses of fruit. the citrus nurserymen in the Salt River Valley, it has been demonstrated that they cannot afford to insure against frost damage by using orchard heaters in the open nursery since there are more economical and certain means of protecting citrus nursery stock.
 The frost dangers citrus having been speci fled, consider the methods of obviating these dangers. First The experience gained will lead the general earth the protection of the young trunks. With the information gained concerning tree protection there is no reason for the effects of freeze in future
 
 Second: An orchard heating outfit should be recognized as an essential part of the equipment of all citrus orchards in Arizona. This is not only provision against loss fo fruit the trees from the effects of what may be termed mild or controllable freezes, but of bearing wood upon which the succeeding crop is dependent Third: More attention should be given to hastening the marketing of the citrus fruit crop thus ducing to minimum the dangers of injury. While the citrus growers fortunate in the of the late freeze n January when the bulk of the crop had been picked there is unnecessary risk takn when, with the best marketing ditons of the season, the fruit is picked rapidly tbecomes salably coored Fourth: Citrus nursery stock for spring planting should be balled and housed for protection previous to entirely covered with muslin Cor other suitable fabric) permit economical heat protection. Fifth: Fall buds in citrus nurseries should be protected by covering by three inches of soil during the danger period.
 The foregoing presentation of citrus protective measures intended detailed consdera- tion but rather mere outline of such measures. There is question that effective methods protection of citrus orhcards, fruit and nursery stock will hereafter be followed in Arizona will lead to the development of the citrus industry occurred.
 While the Arizona citrus industry still has unsolved problems in irrigation, fertilization culti- vation and pruning, the outlook is favorable the development of the industry as ever it The following leading advan- tages Arizona citrus growers the citrus growers of Florida and California have been ire quenty mentioned and generally recognized: First, the early maturing of the fruit allowing 1t O marketed in November and December prac- fruit. Second, the freedom of the Arizona citrus orchards from the various scale insects and white