Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-01-14

The beautiful table exhibit Of grape
fruits, shown in the illustration. wa. grcwn
on Harry Bankers grounds. east of
Brownsville. Handsome a. j, this exhibit.
it l. the individual excellence and pcrfcc-
ltion of this fruit that cares the conVic-
tion that the growing If this delicious and
universally popular fruit can he made a
very profitable industry il Southwest
Texas. For this fruit was not only ~ fine
in flavor rs any have seen and tested N
the United Statcs-aud. IN fact. c%uuallcd
only by that from some sections of Mexico
but il fulfilled the other trade require
ments essential To- commanding top prices
in competition. That j.. il has the size de-
manded by the fancy trade: IL has the fair,
bright skin Ia make It attractive. il was
ripe and Of full delicious flavor IN time
for the holiday aud best winter trade. and
it, texture and flavor j. very fine.
Now, ON investigation find that the size
of this South Texas fruit il not unusual.
either in Mr.. Banker grove or in the sew
eral other grape fruit grove. also demon
strating their practical value this wear in
several other Southwest Texas sections
that | will mention. In fact, il u very little
above the average size Of South Texas
grapefruit, and II j, very good "a know that
these sizes were secured without i~crtiliza-
tion or special efforts in pruning. thinning
or care, such n j. necessary in California
] .pI IN k1.rtI. q. a,.,r. f-u,.s -. ...l
for the best trade. Thu j, 4 very import
ant point commercially.
And a Ia It's quality and flavor. though
II i very fine aud fully equal To any pro
dueed IN the United Statc~. vet | find that
the trees IN nearly every grove were not
irrigated with the skill and care hat could
be given, and II pains are taken in future
To- never lei the fruit suffer for moisture.
but i~nsuring at the same time perfect
drainage and not excessive moisture. the
texture of South Texas grape fruit will be
still more perfect.
The advantage IN carllnc~- of maturity
il too PLAIN TO need discussion. For every
user of this splendid and wholesome fruit
kn"w> how difficult il j. t. secure crane
fruit early in winter that i nui too Snnr
for table use. This gives 10 South Texa~
grape fruit the advantage Of \ market a.
most without competition at that best
selling season.
keSulingly. this fruit has found ready
market ~ ) 10 Z l-2 cent, Wholesale and
retailed al 10 to Is cents. N va, worth
the wholesale prices for shipping. though
nearly all was consumed locally. or else
sent out N small parcel post ct expires,
shipments by enthusiastic resident, or
visitors.
] have seen many grapefruit tree, pro-
ducing on tins. their fifth wear. ~ yur,ous
points IN South Texas. 100 Ia $50 fruits
per tree-that j. - Ia $3.50 per tree whole
sale value. or $500 to $3.50 r., acre. Such
trees were shown also al George Pu,c-
gnat's place east Of Brownsville. N q. n
Pease's grove. Raymondvillc: nj Lyford.
MrAllcn. Sarita. kingsville. FaIfurrin,.
etc And they show now. Ia even the bm.i-
ness men whose training allows him t.
nudge only by actual results. that the grow
ing OF grape fruit can be- made profitabI.
"a South Texas. This result wn. 4, mv
mind, assured from horticultural study If
the natural conditions here when cam,
from California several years ago.
But ! am fully convinced now. ~ then
that the only logical. sensible pr,rrdur.