Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-12
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Foreign Advertising REPRESENTATIVES


The United States annual imports 80 0OO 900 POUNDS
of dates at a cost Of many millions of dollars. Con-
gresham John N. Garner writes to w r. Montgom-
cry, Hidalgo county representative in the Texas legis-
lature.
Mr.. Garner sees in date culture an opportunity to
add to the wealth Of the Valley and South Texas and
suggests to the representative that the state join with
the United States in an effort to develop this industry.
There is no overproduction here. Sale of the crop
will be no problem when 1t is grown. An 10000, 600
pound a year demand and no homegrown supply to
meet In competition should mean wealth to those who
supply the demand.
AT present a large portion of the date supply of
the world is produced in Egypt. Grown. gathered,
packed and shipped by Hills Brothers. a British firm,
dates supply one Of the chief sources of revenue for
that country. So important is 1t that the Egyptian
government lends every assistance to the industry in
the development Of new varieties. better cultural
methods and in merchandising plans.
If the state of Texas has an opportunity to pro-
duce this fruit for which there is such a large demand
IL appears the state should spend some money and
effort along this line 1t was to suggest this very
thing that Congressman Garner wrote to Represen-
tative Montgomery.
Dates have been grown in limited quantities in the
Valley for many years. The difficulty has been in
maturing the fruit. Too much rain usually falls at
the ripenirg season and the fruit. which requires a
very dry climate. often spoils on the tree.
More than a year ago Congressman Garner sue
ceeded in having the United States congress appro-
pirate $4,000 to finance an expedition to Mesopota-
mia for the purpose of studying rain resisting varie-
ties Of dates.
That expedition. after study OF various varieties
produced in a climate approximately like that Of the
Valley, has secured 1850 date offshoots of a kind which
the experts believe will produce dates which will ripen
here.
The offshoots are about to be sent to the Texas
Experiment Station at Weslaco for planting and study.
When they arrive there will be need for an expert to
take charge Of the experiments in date culture in the
Valley. Congressman Garner suggests that Texas ap-
propriate $4,000 a year for this work.
1t appears that such an appropriation would be
such a good investment that it would need no urging
on the part Of anyone. In this day Of intense COM
petition for the markets Of the nation a new crop
which is taking many millions Of dollars out Of the
country annually is one Of the best possible methods
of farm relief.
Date culture is something that cannot be learned
in a few months. or a few years. Development of
proper varieties and proper cultural methods will re-
ouire long years Of study and experimenting.
"A representative Of Hills Brothers came 70 the
Valley from Egypt about two years ago to inspect the
Valley. He did not tell the purpose of his mission. but
II was believed at that time ne was here to decide
whether his firm should attempt to develop the date
growing industry in the Valley. He spoke of the diff
ficulty OF bringing in offshoots Of various varieties be-
cause Of quarantine regulations II appeared to him
this was an almost unsurmountable obstacle.
The government of the United States has removed
that barrier by importing a supply Of plants. They
are being treated at the government quarantine sta
ton in Washington to eliminate danger of introduce
Ing new pests or plant diseases.
The necessary plants for the experiment soon will be
available. the expert to carry on the work must be
employed. Congressman Gamers request for state
aid seems TO be deserving of favorable action.