Arizona republican., 1919-12-05
RECORD YEAR IN.
CITRUS FRUIT IS
OUTLOOK HERE
With Season More Than
Half Gone 1t Appears
That the Total Shipments
Will Approximate $50
Carloads

With the season more than half
gone and every indication pointing to-
ward a record year in citrus history
I'M Arizona, the Arizona Orange as
ISOLATION Is shipping on an average of
snree cars Of oranges and grapefruit
sach day. Already nearly 70 cars
have been shipped by The association.
which includes a majority of the
orange and citrus growers in the val.
ley, and the seasons output will run
close to $50 cars.
Probably the most important fea-
ture of the season. however, is the
fact that at last Arizona oranges and
grapefruit are coming into their own
as Americas best, and. are finding
recognition as such in every part Of
the country. The Arizona product Is
receiving preference over the famed
California crop in Los Angeles and
san Francisco, and is dominating the
entire coast market, as well as middle
western markets
First Car Went October 20
The first car of Arizona fruit was
shipped by the orange association Oct.
90, and ever since that time there
has been ceaseless activity at the as
sociation's packing and shipping plant
at Eighth street and Jackson. The
orange season will wind up the first
of the year. the last navel oranges
leaving the valley about Dec. Is. but
grapefruit shipping will go on until
spring. There is no lack Of demand
Tor either fruit, and prices have been
very favorable and firm throughout
the season, and will probably remain
so.
Nearly all the associations ship
ments are being made on order. and
the quality Of the fruit is well attested
by tie great number of repeat" or
ders which come in. Two-week pools
are being operated by the association
with much success. Arizona fruit is
being shipped to nearly every par
Of the country as far east as Boston
and as far north as British Columbia
Arizona Fruit Dominates
Some idea of the demand for the
superior Arizona grapefruit is giver
In the fact that il is dominating the
markets at Los Angeles Portland, SaT
Francisco and Vancouver, notwith.
standing the fact that California prod.
uct may be had at much less distance
In san Francisco, Arizona orange.
are in much demand at rs cents DO,
AdliIOfDld
oranges, which come from the city!
very door, and this despite the mucl
higher freight rate on the Arizon:
fruit. Similar conditions exist il
other markets, proving that the coun
try Is speedily recognizing the hig.
worth OF Salt River valley fruit
Yesterday alone. for instance
orange and grapefruit shipments b,
the Arizona Orange association in
cluded one car to Los Angeles. on
car to san Francisco and one car Il
Vancouver.
Outlook Is Good
While this year will prove a ban
ner one in valley oranges and grape
fruit growing. next year will be an
other one, according to f. L. Gillar
manager Of the packing and shippin
end Of the. association. The member
ship of the association, Mr.. Gilla
said. is growing rapidly and will con
tirue to do so until practically ever
grower in the valley belongs. as co
operative selling through the associa
ton is proving a huge success her,
as il has in many other places.
While the association packing plaf
here Is shipping an average of thre
cars a day it could, on occasion in
NiNt'0H Aiit OuADuA " live Il udN. ADOL
20 persons are employed in the plan
which is well worth a visit Machir
cry plays an important part in pre-
pairing the fruit for shipment, and sel
eral thousand dollars was spent tn
scason for equipment
AT the plant the fruit is cleant
and assorted according TO size al
quality. Then it is packed and loadt
into the cars for shipment. SO ia
me only handicap of the season h;
been lack Of refrigerator cars
This season about 60 per cent of Il
associations shipments are orange
ard 40 per cent grapefruit. This r;
ito win probably be reversed ne
year. Mr. Gillian said yesterday. ad,
ing that in time 400 cars Of orang
and grapefruit should he shipped fro
here in one season, making the il
1ustry one Of the leaders in L
valley.