Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-14
PROGRESS ON
PEST CONTROL
CHEERS Chief
Valley Citrus Industry
Improved By War
On Fruit Fly, Baker
Declares

Especial TO The herald
a BENITO, Feb. AT am de-
iignted with the progress Of the
valley work." said DR.. A. c. Baker
OF Washington, d. c., senior en-
toIiologist in charge Of the gov
ernment's tropical and subtropical
work, in a statement given out be-
lore he left the Valley Monday TO
enter Mexico in studying the fruit
pest and eradication methods there.
he will leave San Antonio this
week with a staff of Investigators
Tor Mexican territory where a thor
ough study Of the fruit pest VIII
be made. The Mexican authorities
are anxious to cooperate in this I'M
portant work. DIR. Baker said. AZ
soon as the Mexican studies are I'M
der way, DIR. Baker will iease TO re-
visit the work in the Parma Canal
zone, and Will then visit several OF
the Central American countries,
stopping for some time in Cuba at
the station for tropical research
} He was accompanied on the trip 10
San Antonio b. z. p. HoIdale, IN
charge of Valley fruit pest work, wno
Will return the latter part OF the
week.
Valley Men Aid
Last year when the infestations
were discovered throughout the Val
ley, and when on all sides there was
talk OF an embargo, we asked Tor the
full cooperation of all Valley inter-
ests," DIR. Baker said. "We promised
at that time that we would do our
utmost to rid the Valley Of this
pest. We promised that we would
use common sense in the conduct OF
the work, and that the results would
in every way be a bene1It 10 the
economic life here.
almost 10 a man the Valley re-
sponded to our arpeal and gave us
every assistance. A few short sight
ed individuals opposed the program.
They contended in the first place
that the knowledge of the fly's pres
ence and our activities would depress
the citrus industry; that people
would refuse TO invest, that they
would be afraid u plant. 1hey were
unable to see that these very ac-
Invites would prove TO wide awake
men that the citrus development here
is a sound development, Planned on
permanent lines. prepared to meet
any obstacle. What have been the
results:
"The added confidence given by
this determination 10 have a clean
industry and the highest standard
has resulted in the greatest expan-
sion the citrus industry here has
known. Heavier planting. have
taken place during this period than
ever before.
Culls Big Problem
"These few individuals contended
also that their markets would be de-
pressed. and that the normal move
ment of fruit would be interfered
with. These fears too have been
groundless. The government guaran-
tee on fruit moving from TIE Valley
a only act to increase the conf
derce Of those who buy il. And
this has been reflected in the prices
obtained for fruit this season.
"The state regulations enforced as
a part Of the federal program pro-
hibited the shipment of culls. This
is by reason Of the fact hat fruit
of this character is more apt to car
nv fruit worm infestation. Incl
dentally this is a great benefit 70
the industry in anotSr way. II
helps the Valley 70 build its reputa-
ton on first quality fruit. This is
one phase hat W. have found diff
ficult to handle satisfactorily. II
is one phase on which the industry
should plan for next season. AIDE
quate facilities should be provided to
absorb this lower grade fruit in the
manufacture of by-products. Such
fruit is in every way satisfactory for
this purpose. And by united effort
along this line. the Valley would de-
velop its markets for high quality
fruit, could build up a new industry
and could safeguard its crop from
fruit work infestation.
"The fruit worm regulations GOV
ering orchard sanitation have not
only aided in the eradication OF