Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-29
OVERPRODUCTION OF CITRUS
FRUIT NEED NOT BE FEARED

When the average person Is told
about the large acreage Of grape
fruit and other citrus fruit which
Will come into bearing soon in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley and he
remembers that both California
and Florida have large producing
areas thte question which naturally
occurs to him is whether there isn't
danger of overprcduction.
The answer to that question, IN
the light Of present demands and a
study Of the situation by experts,
is an emphatic no.
one Of the principal reasons why
the Valley fruit Is expected TO have
a good market always, even II
other sections possibly overproduce,
Is the fact that ID Is extremely
superior quality. With fruit from
all three growing sections Compel
ing on the same market. Valley
fruit is being given preference by
buyers who rapidly are becoming
aware OF its superior quality.
Valley Fruit JuIcier
This superior quality extends
beyond flavor OF the fruit which is
unequalled by that C1 other grow
ing sections. The Valley fruit not
only Is sweeter but there is a con-
siderably larger quantity Of Juice
present than in fruits grown in
other sections. Better orchard care
and greater knowledge OF growing
technique also is resulting in finer
appearing and tasting fruit.
Thought OF superior flavor, Valley
has been Handicapped somewhat by
the fact that ii did not make as good
appearance as that grown In other
sections. The Valley now has settled
down to standard varieties and Is
giving them. the proper care with
the result that appearance OF the
fruit as well as the Flavor Is good.
Markets for Valley fruits have
been scarcely scratched. There are
hundreds OF markets where Valley
fruits have lot yet been introduced.
II is pointed out by students Of the
situation that when these markets
are acquainted with Valley fruits
that they too will show q preference
for the products OF this section. IL
has been shipped and the public ap-
prised Of its origin that there has
been q preference for the Texas
product.
Storage Is Coming
It is a fact that the crops are now
being marketed during a limited
period. Production has not yet
reached the point in the Valley
where fruit has been placed in
storage. With production reaching
greater volume 1t Is inevitable that
the Valley will store q part OF its
citrus fruit crop. marketing 1t
throughout the year instead Of Just
the winter months. Unlike deciduous
fruits, grapefruit, oranges and other
citrus. remain on the trees for
months after they ripen. The
marketing season lasts from Sen
TENDER ! through March 81. BY
April ] all fruit must be of the
trees as q pest infestation pre-
vention measure. Cold storage II
expected to enable the Valley to
hold its crop and release 10 gradual
ly throughout the year so that the
markets will not be glutted through
out a limited period and then
denied Valley fruit altogether. II IS
obvious that when the consumer
can purchase a preferred product
at all times that 1t will rebound
to the benefit Of that product.
See Better Packing
More uniform packing and
marketing OF the Valleys products
also are expected to have their eff
feet IN efficient disposal OF the
annual crop. Some advancement
has been made in these directions
and still greater Standardization in
grading and packing are expected
TO take place. Such Standardization
OF practice Is expected TO have its
effect In ~diSposing OF the Valley
crop Standard grades and con-
TAN err enabl the consumer to &C
cept without question the grade of
offered. Standardization of
brands and trademarks and unfit
cation OF marketing system are not