Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1925-10-12
IN OUR
VALLEY

UDGE j. C. Georges query in The
- Herald recently as/to the identity Of
the early variety of grapefruit produc,
ed in Florida brings an interesting re-
sponse from Louis Fl. Alsmeyer, former
county farm agent in.-Cameron county
and now located at Lake Jem, Fla.
Mr.. Alsmeyer writes as follows:
"The writer was much interested in
the letter from Judge j. C. George
which you published in your 'In Our
Valley column in the issue of The Her.
aid for Oct. 4th.
The matter of ripening of fruit and
the time when it is marketed is one Of
prime Importance to every grower. The
orchardsts in Florida are paying much
attention to this point and the writer
has had considerable discussion with
citizens of this state who fear the pro-
duction of fruit in the Valley will in
jure their markets. But when they in
quire as to the varieties used in the
Valley and learn that varieties are not
planted so as to hit the early and the
late markets, they say, We'll, they won't
hurt our high markets.
perhaps it is we'll to understand
the reason for so much interest in fruit
produced during the various months of
the year. The average price per box
of grapefruit net to the grower here in
Florida for the five-year period just
prior to 1918 was $2.15. Fruit marketed
before Nov. 1st commanded $3.07. That
marketed between Nov. 1st and April
1st brought 1.60 and that sold after
April lst brought 1920 per box. Since
IL = olo;, 4lok
in price has been even greater, with
the early fruit always commanding the
highest prices.
There is another phase of the sub
ject of the time of ripening which many
have failed to consider. When fruit is
shipped in the early part of the season,
it is marketed with minimum number
of culs and without the loss of drop
ping from the trees, and also avoids
the injury to the crop. from a freeze
such as we had in the Valley last De-
cember.
1T is true that the location has much
influence upon the time of ripening.
The territory around Bradentown, Fla,
has shipped large number of cars,
while only few cars shave been ship
ped from this section around Orlando,
which is farther north. In our trip
with the Valley growers over here last
October we saw this very clearly
brought out We thought that the Val
ley should produce early fruit for the
market as the location was so far south.
Several nurserymen with whom the
writer discussed this point were of the
same opinion.
THE writer has eaten grapefruit
nearly every day since he arrived here,
which was on Sept. 9Th, and has visited
many groves in Lake and Orange coun-
ties. These show that the main de-
termining factor in the ripening OF
fruit is the variety.
IAN attempt was made on Sept. 18th
to eat Marsh seedless grapefruit but
it was so green that it tasted like a
green persmmon. Yet fruit from an
adjoining tree, which was an Improved
Conner Prolific was eaten by everyone
in the party and greatly enjoyed. And
you know how particular the writer
and his wife are that the fruit be ripe,
sweet and juicy when eaten.
1.-THE writer is reliably informed that
q large majority of the fruit being
marketed now is Of the Improved Con-
ner Prolific variety. Some fruit Of this
variety we'll as the Duncan grape
fr-' pa marketed next month and
,,ne II lecember, while the Marsh
r'sseedless will be shipped from February
to May.
"The writer believes that Valley
growers should plant trees Of variety
which natures early, secure the high
prices for that type of graz efruit, and
thus take full advantage of their sou
thern location.
"Florida is developing very rapidly
and the writer feels that the Valley /:
following in her tracks, but hopes The
Valley will avoid some of the mistake:
which have been made in this state.