Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-08-14
fsnecial to The Heraldl

MISSION. Aug. l4.-Growers Of
citrus fruit in the Rio Grande VAL
ley are confronted with the propo-
sition of having to thoroughly or
ganize their selling agencies within
the next five years If they Ire to
succeed financially in the produc-
ton Of this crop, according to Ho-
mer Smith. vice president Of the
First National Bank OF Mission who
has returned from a trip to Califor-
mia.
For six weeks Mr.. Smith studied
the conditions in California with
the assistance OF bankers, marketing
experts, growers and those familiar
with all details OF the early strug-
| giles Of California to accomplish
their cooperative marketing organi-
cations.
1T is hoped that the growers Of
the Rio Grande Valley will not
have to learn as did those Of Cali
fornia. through the agency OF fl
nancial failure said MIR. Smith. 1t
was only when faced with finan-
cial failure that organization was
perfected there. he said.
Uniformity of Pack
Uniformity Of pack is another
matter that must soon demand the
attention of Valley growers. he said.
"A Sunkist pack Is standard
throughout California" he contin-
ueu, and the world markets know
what TO expect when they buy
oranges and grapefruit Of any
stipulated California grade.
Compare this with the hundreds
Of different brands. packs and
qualities that are going out OF the
Rio Grande Valley.
He tuched also upon the success
Of organized marketing effort and
the thorough confidence that all
growers had in these agencies. Ac-
cording to Mr.. Smith, California
| growers put their crops in the hands
Of the agencies and they sell the
fruit as the market demands. When
the price Is low they stop picking
and packing and wait until 1t goes
up before they resume, he said.
The history OF cold storage Of cit
rus in California has been the same
as 1t is here" he said, so they allow
their fruit to remain in storage Oh
their trees"
The Valley is in its infancy in its
troubles with citrus pests and dis
eases, Mr.. Smith stated, and re-
lated the constant effort that is
made throughout California to curb
these troubles. He told Of the in
spectors who visit orchards and Or
der spraying or fumigation and OF
the experts whose services are avail
able at q moments notice to 20 into
any orchard for diagnosis and pre-
scription Of spraying or fumigatioa
or whatever need be done.
Cultivate the Crop
The tendency Of many to irligate
when cultivation would serve the
purpose equally as well, was cited
by Mr.. Smith in the fact that many
acres Of land are lost III the Rio
Grande Valley through the applica-
ton of water instead of tillage
which would accomplish the immg-
date purpose. He also called at
tention TO the vast saving that
would be made n water when the
water situation was assuming great
er propositions in the Rio Grande
Valley constantly.
As to fertilizer he also noted the
large amount that could be used Ill
California groves and was used, for
the effort there is intensive cultiva-
ton. In replanting orange groves
he mentioned that the new trees
We're planted in between the rows
in the old orchards SO that the soil
fertility would not be lost.
That California is rapidly getting
away from its navel orange produc-
ton and turning to Valencia was
stressed by Mr.. Smith.
Cleanliness Striking
Weeds either do not grow In
California, or else they are all kept
out Of the SOIL" he said. "One new
er sees a weed in orchards in Call
fornia nor along the highways and