Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-21

citrus fruit crop il essential to as
sure maximum profits. Is the opin-
ion Of Brown White, Valley dealer,
who advocates the organization OF a
mutual insurance association Of
Valley growers and business inter-
ests as a medium for promoting a
longer shipping season.
Under present conditions every
grower in the Valley is endeavnrinr
TO market his fruit as early as pos
sible," Mr.. White said. This does
o affect US seriously now. but it
will be serious when we get into
heavy production. In a year or two
the Valley will be shipping fruit in
greatly increased quantities. and in
order TO assure a six or seven
month shipping season and orderly
marketing a frost protection insur-
ance association is necessary"
Mr.. White pointed out that man
Of the growers are cndeavoring to
get their fruit onto the market be-
fore December i, and that as a re-
suit the Valleys markets during No
vember are glutted. IL the hazard
Of frost damage could be eliminated
by n mutual insurance system, il
would tend to lengthen the shipping
seaeson and assure more orderly and
profitable marketing Of the crop.
he said.
Late Season Profitable
Last season the Texas Citrus
Fruit Growers most profitable pool
was in February, just before the
close Of the shipping season." he
said. The Valleys orchards were
practically denuded Of fruit. and
there was a heavy demand IN all
markets. Hundreds OF carloads
could have been sold at a very pro-
fitable figure, but there were only
a few cars available"
While Mr.. White offered no def
mite plan for organization OF a mu-
tual insurance association to pro-
tect W against frost loss. he
expressed the opinion that an equit-
able plan could be worked out and
that it would meet the endorse
ment Of practically every fruit grow
er in the Valley. He suggested that
Valley farmers and business men
consider the proposition Of a mu-
tual association. discuss the advan-
tages which would accrue TO the
growers and business interests. and
present a definite plan Of organiza-
ton.
IF the rover were protected
against possible loss, the Valleys
fruit shipping season would be ex-
tended into April ard May he
said. at is very necessary that this
be done before the orchards Of the
Valley come into heavy bearing. We
cannot expect 10 dump that I'M
nense quantity of fruit onto the
markets in October. November and
December without sustaining severe
losses. We must have A longer
season and an orderly movement of
the crop If We are 10 make citrus
production profitable
Very few of the Valley
are in position to carry their own
mate the frost hazard they hurry
their fruit onto the market rs early
as possible. Despite the fact the
Valleys production is very limited
as compared to the heavy produc-
ton a few years hence. some losses
have already been sustained as \
result OF TINS p II those
growers could secure insurance at
cost. | believe the great majority
would market throughout the sea-
son. This would assure better dis
tribution, more profitable markets
and a better quality Of fruit going
onto the market. There would be
no incentive to dump the crop dur
ing November and early December,
and there would be an incentive to
harvest fruit only As the demand
and markets dictated"
Valley records show that frost
loss is slight compared with the
loss records in other citrus fruit
producing areas. But notwithstand-
ing the records show that fruit Is
safe on the Valley trees throughout
the average winter, the rowers have
2 vivid recollection OF the heavy
frosts Of 1924 and 1925 which dam
aed large quantities OF fruit. Since
1925 the tendency 10 rush fruit onto
the market early has been pro-
nounced, shippers state. and they
apprehend serious difficulty in flu
ture marketing unless this tendency