, 1935-01-27

Here are some OF the Things
which seem most to have impressed
the California Citrograph party
when II visited the Valley several
months ago:
The rapid recovery Of this section
from the hurricane.
Comparative freedom OF the VAL
ley from freezing weather.
Development Of pink grapefruit.
The depth Of its rich soil.
Impressions OF the party OF Cali
fornia growers sponsored by the
western magazine are set down by
the editor. Edward Allen Street. in
the current issue under the head
ing. Texas Citrus Area Seen
Through California Eyes" A copy
Of the issue has Just been received
BY the chamber Of commerce.
About the storm, Mr.. Street said
this:
Here it is just as well TO refer
to the fact that We saw the Valley
about a year after the most disas-
trous hurricane ever experienced
there. And they make no bones
about calling 1t a hurricane. II
was no zephyr Trees were
whipped merciIessly and fabulous
tales are told Of the thousands and
thousands Of truckloads OF tree tops
and debris carted off from the
grapefruit groves following the
storm. People who saw 1t directly
after that September. 1893 gale and
particularly some OF the grove own
egS. thought they never would re-
cover from the damage.
But you should see those groves
today II Is only by minute study
Of the tree structures that you
could tell what those sturdy tree
had suffered.
The recovery has been little short
of marvellous. Except for the
shortage OF fruit the casual obser-
e never would know that the
trees had suffered such drastic
twisting and breakage. The trees
look wonderful today"
1t might be Of interest to note.
in view Of the recent low tempera-
lures. why the Californians we're in
.terested in what they discovered
about Valley climate. Mr.. Streets
findings:
II was shown one table recording
the average number OF times dur
ing which temperatures fell below
80 degrees al points within the
three states and the period over
which the records we're obtained.
II showed the following. Browns
ville-l29 times in Al years or an
average Of 80 a year. Eustis, Flor
ida-l93 times IN AZ years or an
average OF as times a year. Red
lands. California-364 times in %
years or an average Of IS times q
year.
Latest frost recorded in three
states. Texas, March 2: Florida,
April 7; California. April IA"
Anent red blush seedIeSS grape
fruit:
Sam J. Baker OF San Benito, one
of the early pioneers Of the VAL
ley. exhibited to the group a Speci-
men Of grapefruit which he called
the 'Webb's Redblush Seedless'
grapefruit. II is one for which he
has applied for a plant patent. In
distinction from the Foster or Marsh
pink grapefruit, 1t had a reddish
ink tinge on the outside Of the
rind as we'll as inside. It was de-
scribed as a bud sport and Mr.. Baker
that because OF its desirable
reddish tinge several people predict
ed that 1t would probably play a
very important part in future plant
I'm the Valley"
Some Of the CalifornianS actually
used shovess TO test the soil. Let
Mr.. Street tell IL.
Fertilization apparently Is one
the least of their worries. And
II one dug down. as did some men,
6erS OF party. he would soon
discover why. The soil was very
rich, easily worked. permeable and
and had a depth OF a shovel
handle without showing an appre-
difference
Some OF our growers could not
that the soil as It appeared
on the surface could 20 down to
any great depth. Borrowing a shovel,
DUR Henry Meier. an Orange county
Of many years experience,
lug down to It's full length in one
orchard. Until the last foot was
reached there was no difference
whatsoever. In the character on the
AT that depth II grew q little
and was OF q texture 10 give