Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-21
PREDICT FRUIT
PAINTINGS TO
SHOW Big GAIN
Expert Estimates Mil
lion And Half Trees
Will Be Set Out In
l928-29 Season
BY II L. SEXTON

approximately 1905 900 citrus fruit
trees will be planted in the Valley
curing the i92s-29 season, Is the
forecast Of A. +. Potts, Harlingen
norticulturist, who recently complet-
ed a survey Of Valley citrus devel-
opment.
The Lower Rio Crande Valley nur-
series will be able to supply that
amount Mr.. Potts said, "and early
contracts indicate the paintings will
DC Z6O,0OO to 5000 in excess Of last
season. when 1.204,2T3 trees were
planted, according to the survey by
federal inspectors"
According to Mr.. Potts estimate
the volume OF paintings will exceed
all former years, and will bring the
Valleys total TO approximately S.
100000 trees, only a small percent
age Of which is now in bearing.
Among the commercial nurseries
Of the Valley, Baker & Potts Of Har-
lingen have 200 900 trees. according
to a recent estimate. Estimates on
other nurseries include Benson Nur-
sery, Mission, 100000 Holbert-Hens-
ley. La Feria and Edinburg, 100000;
Tom HARDWOOD, Harrington, $4,000;
Miller Bros, San Juan, 0 5000; Jen-
nings & Speed, Harlingen, 10000;
Pitts Bros. Brownsville. $4,000; Boo
ry Bros, Brownsville. $4,000; Smith
Nursery, McAllen. 5000; W. III. Bris-
tow, Mission, $4,000; Solether Bros,
Weslaco, 10000; E. NJ. Tanner, San
Juan, 10000; Dunlap e. Shannon. La
Feria, 10000; l.. r. Crockett, Mer-
AnLAA o. mn IT. -
of John Shary at Mission and J. G.
Engleman neal Donna and the great
number Of smaller nurseries, will
bring the number TO 1905 900, &C
cording to the estimates of various
Valley horticulturists. They predict
that practically all available stock
will be planted.
Find Trees Smaller
A survey Of Valley nursery stocks
indicates the majority of trees will
be smaller thar last year, owing to
the hard winds during the budding
season in early spring and the dry
weather during the spring and sum-
mer. However. the trees are very
vigorous and in a few months after
planting in the orchard row will
make up any discrepancy in size. is
NuG OHiIAQn VI nOfLlCulLuTtSLSs MANY
growers predict that the adverse con
ditions during the early growing sea
son will produce n better root sys-
TEN and a more hardy and more pro-
ductive tree when maturity is at
tanned.
Paintings are underway in many
parts Of the Valley. but the heavy
paintings are not expected to start
before the middle of November,
reaching the peak in February and
March. Reports indicate that plant
ings will be very equally distributed
owe the Valley with the coastal re-
gions Of Cameron county showing
the largest gain in acreage. Several
large development projects are now
underway in the coastal section. all
OF which will be devoted largely to
citrus production.
Red Scale In Evidence
California red scale now c%onsti-
tutes the most serious menace 10
Valley citrus is the verdict OF nur-
serymen who re maintaining n close
check on the Valley orchards. 1.-THE
California red scale will kill the
trees IL the trees happen to be in
an anemic condition when attacked"
"A. r. Potts said. Il doubt if many
Of the Valley growers realize the
seriousness of the situation in re-
gard to this pest. The September
rains created a very favorable con-
dition for the propagation Of Califor-
MIA red scale. and many of the or
chards in which no evidence of the
pest could be found a few weeks ago
are now covered with the scale. This
scale will blow half a mile and is
also carried on the feet OF birds. Oil
emulsion is the proper control. and /
would advise every grower in the
Valley 10 watch his trees carefully
and aid in controlling this pest.
I'm several sections Of California
where red scale Is prevalent the val
uation Of land is governed to a
great extent by the amount Of in
festation. California has found the
Valley should take steps 70 prevent
i~nfeStation.
"There is another feature in con-
n~ection with this, and that is that
grapefruit, owing 20 the small pro-
duction. will not be seriously penal
ized this year il il is classified as
dirty but the Valley growers can
not afford TO permit their orchards
10 become infested with pests which
affect the appearance Of their fruit.
The heavier production of the fu-
ture will not be assured a profitable
market unless the excellent flavor Of
Valley fruit is supplemented by a
standard Of cleanliness which will
m least make IL as attractive rs fruit
from competing sections. The only
way to assure this Is to maintain
clean orchards. If this is done II
will aid materially in producing
profits for the Valley citrus grow
ers."
Sees Prosperous Future
Mr.. Potts has maintained close con-
tact with the citrus industry IN the
Valley since its inception. and pre-
diets a prosperous future for the m
dustry. Relative to the heavy plant
ings Of last year and predicted heav-
Ter paintings the coming season ne
no,nted to the fact that consumption
n grapefruit is increasing rapidly
both ~ home and abroad. "The quail
~ az Valley fruit will be an impor-
tant factor in establishing markets
which will consume all the Valley
car nroduce.D yrs his prediction.
paintings OF Marsh grapefruit are
exnerted to lead all other varieties.
INT there Is a noticeable tendency
tou,ard earlier varieties, including
me Duncans and Connors. Accord
80 "a estimates BY various nursery
men. the paintings this year will run
about 46 per cent Marsh. 25 per cent
Durcans. connors or other early va
III sies. is per cent early ranges 10
ner can't late n and I per cent
miscellaneous. This program incl-
Gates a slight decrease in grapefruit
riantinrs and a corresponding IN
crease in orange paintings.
HapT rNCEN T. OF c.