510 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



lowered this year so as to increase consumption, but failed. If the 

 Florida production does reach 35,000 carloads, as estimated, the work- 

 ing people will come to eat grapefruit in much the same way that they 

 now eat oranges, and the effort to carry distribution beyond the narrow 

 field of high priced breakfasts must succeed. All advertising is expen- 

 sive, and the amount of advertising that w-ill be necessary to increase 

 the market for grapefruit at the rate Florida shipments bid fair to 

 increase, may be impossible. 



If Florida is confronted with such a problem, where is there any 

 justification for California extending the industry? Our cultural costs 

 are doubtless higher, our freight rate is greater, and, according to figures 

 on acreage and shipments, our yield per acre is less. Despite the waste 

 noted above, Florida is shipping one-half carload per acre as an average 

 this yearj which is appreciably better than California. To be sure, cer- 

 tain groves, of which Mr. Shamel is keeping accurate tree performance 

 records, show an average yield of nearly a carload per acre, but as a 

 whole California is lamentably below that figure. 



We will not attempt to discuss varieties, but we are constrained to call 

 attention to the fact that the trade, even on the Pacific coast, seems to 

 l)refer Florida pomeloes. This may be merely prejudice, but it gives 

 that much more for California advertising to overcome. Seattle and 

 Tacoma pay a premium today on Florida grapefruit that will justify 

 the extremel.y long haul. An official of one of the railroad eating house 

 systems told the writer recently that their patrons noticed the difference 

 in entering California, where Florida fruit can not be served because of 

 quarantine. This would seem to be partly pschyeological, as certain 

 California hotels are still selling "Florida grapefruit" despite the fact 

 that none has come into the State for over a year, and the eating public 

 is none the wiser. The present California varieties do not mature at 

 quite so favorable a time as do the Floridas, in that the former must 

 compete with peaches and other fresh fruits to a far larger extent than 

 the latter. For this reason considerable California fruit is shipped 

 too early, to the detriment of its reputation. It may be possible to find 

 varieties to overcome these several objections ; in fact the Citrus Experi- 

 ment Station, the Federal Government and certain individuals are work- 

 ing along this line at present ; but we feel that delay in planting until 

 they are found may be worth considering. 



As we intimated at the start, the grapefruit situation in California is 

 on a reasonable and sound basis at present. It may be expected that the 

 industry will be as profitable as any for a period of years. HoAvever, in 

 view of the above facts, we would strongly suggest that future plantings 

 be ver}^ conservative. We hesitate to recognize the wisdom of seeking 

 new acres adapted to this crop, and we sincerely deplore the commercial 

 boosting of large tracts of new land for grapefruit culture. 



