The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1922-09-01
FLORIDA CITRUS CROP DEVELOP
ING WELL

Orlando. Fla, Aug. 31.-Normal tenn
/ peratures and ample rainfall con-
stitute the outstanding features Of the
week throughout the Florida citrus
fruit belt, with the more commanding
sidelights still devoted TO estimates OF
quantity and the date on which it
viii be possibly safe a-l practicable
to begin initial shipments of the early
maturing varieties.
Based upon estimates eminating
from the offices of some of the largest
operators and shipping organizations
in the state, as has been published in
these columns before, extensive and
defnate plans are we'll under way 10
start rolling Parson Browns from the
upper portions of the belt and grape
fruit from the lower peninsular soon
after the middle OF September, with
every Indication Pc 2 lg toward the
movement OF substantial cOnsignments
in volume b. the first day OF October.
Field representatives returning TO
Orlando within the last few days are
bringing to their respective firms even
more convincing reports Of a we'll
advanced crop than had been gathered
by these agencies on previous trips.
which form the basis for a generally
prevailing opinion that it will come up
to or exceed in number of boxes any
yet produced in the state. One of the
oldest and probably best informed of
these says he has never seen the crop
as whole so well-advanced to matur-
ity at this time of the year during his
20 years connection with the indus
try, and he further stated that he had
never seen more or better fruit.
Speculation, however still fingers
about the quarters of the official and
unofficial prophetic tabulators. but
nothing of a conclusive character has
percolated the walls concealing these
operations to break down the very
early climate of 100000 boxes or
more for the approaching season, and. |
if the figures are eventually to be up
set, it would seem plausible enough to
calculate upon seeing them eclipsed
rather than lowered.
Robert Taylor. the industrial rail
road statistician ana f0recaster. work
ing up his annual chart for the pur-
pose of acauainting the trans portation
departments OF the citrus fruit rail-
carriers, declares that the promise of
a larger crop has never before come
under his observation in the growing
fields. Mr.. Taylor's views are con
sidered all the more important by
reason of the fact that he has sup
piled the most important bureaus in the
state with very important data in this
respect for several years past, and
those that were best borne out as a
rule had embodied in them much Of
the data and calculations of Mr. Tay-
l0r. He qualities his statement at
this time nevertheless by saying that
he had not completed his final surveys
and that it would be couple of weeks
yet before he could give out publicly
what be considered a correct forecast.
1T is my honest opinion notwithstand-
ing that it will be larger than last
year" he declared
\ year ago the forecasters were at
great variance but when the time had
come to pass Robert Taylor had
hit the nail nearer upon the head than
anyone else, his estimate, as records
later proved to be correct one. being
in round numbers 100000 boxes.
Preparations for the extensive en-
ployment of the recently adopted col
oring process has created no small de-
gree Of interest in all quarters of the
trade and extreme precautions are be-
ing taken by shipping organizations
generally to avoid the application of
the process on unripe fruit, so that
the best served and very wholesome
| method Of placing upon the markets
the best looking fruit extended from
year TO year
TIE EHpPEcc StruA-InN