Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-08
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Clean Orchards Necessary

Eternal vigilance Is the price Of success in the
citrus industry, according to entomologists and ex-
perts who are now warning the Valleys growers to
maintain their orchards in proper condition to prevent
re-infestation from the Mexican fruit fly.
There has been some controversy among the grow
ers and others as TO whether the Valley ever had an
infestation from the southern side Of the Rio Grande
or whether the limited embargo imposed by the feder-
al Horticultural board was justifiable. The Herald
does not pretend to be able to pass upon this question
lit Is one for experts only-but it is obvious that the
effect Of the cleanup imposed gy the federal entomol-
ogists and the corps Of engineers was very beneficial
70 the industry throughout the Valley.
There can be no controversy in connection with
the necessity for properly maintaining the Valleys
citrus groves in such condition they will not be easily
susceptible to infestation by the Mexican fruit fly or
any other pest, or any OF the many diseases which are
the direct result Of lack Of proper care.
California and Florida have both demonstrated
that clean groves, properly maintained, are far less
susceptible 20 such infestation than those where the
fruit is permitted to fall and decay, where spraying is
sporadic and the spray poorly applied, or where the
grower does not take the proper precautions to protect
his trees against pests and diseases. They have also
demonstrated that proper care Of the citrus orchards
pays big dividends in the shape of greater production
and better quality.
That the citrus industry is destined to become the
principal industry Of the Lower Rio Grande Valley is
generally conceded. Paintings this year will break all
former records and within another decade the Valley
Wiz % SAiFPAAB aAhiO1u u 4LAAI Nue ~ - j"
shipping carloads. It behooves every interest of the
Valley TO aid in protecting and fostering this indus
try, and il is very essential that during these years,
which may be termed the formative years for the in
dustry, every precaution should be taken to prevent
damage TO the cirrus groves or severe loss to the in
dustry.
The fact that the limited embargo placed upon
Valley citrus last fall has not seriously affected the
industry is indicated by the increased paintings. 1t
is true the industry in the Valley received some ad-
verse publicity. but this bas probably been offset by
the effectiveness of the cleanup campaign and the
fact that the growers learned for the first time that
they could cooperate upon any proposition affecting
the industry in which they are vitality interested. They
also learned the lesson: that a clean grove is more
pest and disease resistant than one not properly cared
for, and this lesson alone will probably more than off
set any loss which may have been incurred as q re-
suit Of the embargo.
That the federal horticultural board will main
tain a strict watch on the lower Rio Grande section
hereafter is assured. This signifies that the Valley
growers must be a unit in demanding that the pres
ent very effective guard be maintained on the border
10 prevent the smuggling of fruit which may be in
fected, and that the Valley groves be in such shape
each year that the entire Valley will be granted a
clean bill Of health without hesitancy on the part Of
the federal board.