Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-06

FROM MEXICO
TO Be LIGHT
Cut of 80 Per Cent on
W5t Coast Announ-
ced After Survey by
u. 5.

lean west coast will be reduced ap-
p~roximately one-third this season.
according 70 a survey recently COM
pleted by the L. s. Department Of
Agriculture. which reports that the
1929 vegetable acreage will be 80,
600 as compared with 59,l9i acres
planted in l926-27.
The survey conducted by the de-
partment covered the entire vcgc-
table producing area Of the states OF
Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit. which
lie along the Gulf Of Lower Cali
fornia n are separated from CEN
tral Mavieo BY the Sierra Maire
mountains.
The Mexican west coast last season
was shipping large quantities oA
early vegetables, principally toma-
toes, to the American markets, and
proved a serious competitor to the
Lower Rio Grande Valley and Flor
ida tomato growers, the Mexican
crop coming onto the market slightly
earlier than the crop from either OF
the Americas producing sections. A
tctal of 4,623 cars was shipped onto
the American market by the Mexican
growers, sufficient 10 seriously af-
feet the market. The Mexican crop,
on account of cheap land, cheap ir-
rigation and cheap labor. was pro-
duced at a lower cost than was pos
sible on the American farms, but
the high freight rates. customs and
crossing charges reduced the returns
70 the point where several Of the
heaviest growers were forced 70 re-
tire from the business.
Tonnfoaa nadlv Iuf4afpd
Practically the entire tomato acre
age on the Mexican west coast has
become badly infested By nailhead,
aphis and bofo (puffy fruit, accord
ing 10 a report from J.. ". Ives,
American consul at Mazatlan. This
infestation was very prevalent last
season, and in some Of the valleys
from 20 to go per cent OF the tomato
crop was unfit for shipping in De-
cember and January. The late crop,
which il harvested IA February and
March, was in fairly good condition,
but came in competition with the
Lower Rio Grande Valley and Flori-
da production. Two Of the largest
shipping firms we're forced TO with
draw entirely from the business, and
the third Of the trio which had been
financing the tomato deal, was COM
PEELED TO ~reorCanize in order 20 OBJ
tain finances for the coming season.
Poor marketing facilities also
caused heavy losses. Numerous car
loads were brought across the border
in apparently good condition only TO
arrive at their destination badly dis-
eased, "nailhead" having developed
while the cars were m transit.
The area planted last year, 59,l74
Al. 1n~wnrt - NLa history
Of the Industry on the west coast.
but the infestation was so bad that
less than 70 per cent Of the total
production was e~xportable. The orig
inai estimates on shipments was 9.l40
ears. but the actual movement was
$3.50 cars.
SinaIoa Produces rs Per rent
approximately ~ per cent Of the
Mexican west coast vegetable ship
ments are produced in the state Of
Sinaloa, about 12 per cent in Nayarit
and 10 per cent in Sonora. Tomatoes
are the most important crop grown,
but the west coast is also produc-
ing peas. cantaloupes, onions,
cucumbers, garlic. potatoes s.
string beans. cantaioupes, water
melons, onions, cucumbers, garlic,
potatoes, string beans, cauliflowcr
and egg plant. Oranges, lemons and
bananas are also grown, but skip
ments into the United States are not
permitted. However, SHINE Of the
fruit Is shipped through the United
States 10 the Canadian markets, but
most OF II Is OF low grade. Accord
irg to the shipping figures. tomatoes
constitute approximately rs per cent
of the total exports Of fruits and
vegetables.
The industry Is concentrated in
some thirteen river valleys where
irrigation facilities are provided at
small cost. Most Of the land utilized
for fruit or vegetables j. very fer
tile. The development Of the veg
etcble industry has resulted IN the
gradual increase in the acreage az
staple crops. including corn. beans
and grains, sufficient 70 supply most
Of the west coast population.
Growth of the Industry
The Mexican west coast vegetables
are exported through Nogales, the
season starting late in November
and continuing until June. The reak
shipments generally occur in April at
the time the Valley and Florida have
attained the peak. After April the
Mexican exporters make little effort
20 ret their production onto the
American markets.
Exporting in volume from the Mex
tear West coast began IN the season
Of 1o20-2f. when a total 81 i,0oa cars
was marketed W the United States.
or this number 600 cars were to-
matoes. IA slight increase was shown
in ie2l-22, when La cars q to-
ratoes were placed on the American
markets. and by 1929 the exports
Mad increased 70 2.i9t cars. 81 which
1924 were tomatoes. The total Tor
the 1929 season WIS 2.1ll cars.
9.O5s being tomatoes. and Ia 1925