Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-01-19

used. but where no provisions was made
Tor n strong wind. While heaters were snf-
fieient IN some epseS 10 meet the deman'
OF the annually recurrent frosts, Their,
we're no reserve heaters or other mean
provided Ia fight an enemy sach ~ n '.nor
Their" of this severity. During the freez'
of 1898 in Florida. where the temperatur,
fell 10 III. q strong wind nj first prevailed
and il has been readily admitted hat haf
proper precautions been taken fully sew
enty-five percent OF the loss would hav
been prevented. There have been freeze
since that time accompanied by stroni
winds. and very little loss has been sus
tanned. even with inadequate frost protec
ton. These frosts accompanied by higl
winds are not unusual either in Californi;
or Florida.
Evidences of severe frosts have bee
found as far south a. Key West in Fl0r
ida and also in Lower California.
While ii must be admitted that tn
Mediterranean j. the ideal home Of the Ell
rus fruits. the countries there are not witt
ont their worries and fear of the north
cr." In Italy. along the Adriatic, and 9th
or places. the Bora" j. rs much feared q
the ''norther' j. in Texas. II will thus !
seen that the Rio Grande Valley j. IN n
way more favored or neglected in the dis
penSation Of Natures manifestations tina
other citrus countries.
But lei ii be said here that one of th
rccompenSing features Of these winds !
the fact that they keep the cold moving
and that the lowest temperatures are rare
ly. if ever accompanied by "northerS' 2
great velocity. thus permitting the or
chardi~t L. save his industry by heatin
methods during his greatest danger, an
1t Il time when his fight against fros
would be t~ruitless IN the fact of u stron
wind.
Yet there j. more danger and probabi
more Disappointment for the citrus grove
in the Rio Grande Valley than IN any 9
the countries mentioned. The owner Of III
citrus grove in onihcIn Europe know
how To meet this trouble when II comes. an
tins he has learned from the experience q
his ancestors extending back many year
before the first citrus fruit venture wa
made i'm this country. Ii j. different
this Valley where the orchardIsi may con
from "A country where the growing 81 III
rus fruits has never been possible.
Southern California has been stimulate
10 a realization Of what adequate protec
ton means, being punished hy the loss (
ten 10 twenty millions dollars IN one yea
by her neglect. Florida realized mar
.-. H.. y,.er ,-.s.asT.v. v~YL AZ vwg
titahlc insurance.
The Rio Grande Valley has not had a les
son sufficiently costly To make the owr
err al her young orchards heed the war;
ing of the experienced. Consequently -
may suffer 4 great setback N develop
mcnt should the Valley be visited by :
freeze a. severe a. the big freeze ]
Florida, the " big freeze" in California, G
Fonc Of the "big freezes" which base bee
experienced in this Valley. and which ma
put IN an appearance any winter again.
II seems q pity that the Rio Grande Va
ley will have To pay the price other plac,
have paid before they adopted sane mctl
DDS OF citrus culture. II j. often said thu
which costs little j. OF little value. III
millions paid by other~e ought to he 4
some use to the people who cannot atior
such costly experiments. but II n doubtit
Iif the lessons taught BY freezes IN oth'
places will be taken "a heart here.
Al tse time 81 the last severe freeze J
the Rio Grande Valley there WAS only -ui
ficient young trees planted to give the
owner. cold feet after their destruction ,
frost. And instead Of acting ~ 2 bene
fetal lesson, the freeze was merely III
means Of driving the lew inexperlence
growers away.
II J. not every mans opportunity 10 vi
If several citrus sections before taking I
the prosecution Of such an exacting midas
try a. citrus culture. II T. % be uttrlb
uted To- this fact that many people are le
I'd believe the statements relating to Ell
mate IN other districts. without knowing @
the exaggerations. The person coming 4
this Valley and finding that his neglected
mi~trcated trees did not pun through II
freeze like hickory. decides from his owl
opinion that this j. not 4 citrus country
This has also been the experience of TIN
Florida people IN years gone by. and II ha
lccn The experience ot many people 4
many parts ot California even "a the pre-
cnt day.