THE ORANGES OF THE WORLD 353 



the severe freezing of 1895, California came forward and, though 

 Florida has re-established her citrus industry, California is now not 

 only supplying the larger part of the oranges consumed in the United 

 States, but is selling the highest priced oranges in the London market 

 against a world of competitors. 



In support of this contention let it be noted that the most important 

 statistical statement of the world's citrus fruits in the English language 

 was published April 15, 1914.* It shows that the annual citrus fruit 

 crop of the world is equal to from ninety to one hundred million boxes 

 of California size, which would fill two hundred and thirty to two 

 hundred and fifty thousand carloads of California capacity. Of these 

 the United States and Spain produce thirty per cent each ; Italy twenty- 

 five per cent ; Japan and Palestine each less than five per cent ; the bal- 

 ance, scattering. The acreage both in California and Florida is in- 

 creasing. The normal product of the United States is approximately 

 78,000 carloads, and California, in view of recent plantings, 50,000 

 carloads. All the countries thus mentioned as contributing to the 

 world's commercial product are endowed with semi-tropical and not 

 with tropical climates. 



RELATION OF CALIFORNIA TO THE WORLD'S 

 ORANGE PRODUCT 



Competition with the product of California is working hardship in 

 the Mediterranean region because this region can more than supply 

 Europe, and needs American markets as an outlet. Italy has exported 

 six million dollars worth of oranges and lemons in a year, but recently 

 prices have declined and the interest is depressed. Every effort is being 

 made to secure relief from local taxation and from duties imposed by 

 north European countries. The Spanish product of oranges and lemons 

 which ranks with that of the United States, has to meet heavy tariffs 

 in all countries except the United Kingdom and the belief at Valencia 

 is (U. S. Commercial Relations, Vol. 2, 1902, page 686) that the limit 

 of British consumption of Valencia oranges at paying rates has been 

 reached; in fact, the British markets collapsed under the heavy ship- 

 ments of 1901. When it is stated that the value of oranges imported 

 into the United Kingdom in 1900 was $10,603,950, and such a free 

 buyer has more than enough, it can be realized how important it is to 

 the Mediterranean producers that the populous countries of central 

 Europe should hold less strictly to agrarian interests which aim to 

 hamper the entrance of food supplies even if they can not themselves 

 produce them. Manifestly the American product can only enter such 

 markets with a fancy product which will win an extra price, except 

 as a little difference in the ripening season may afford an opportunity. 



The commercial position of the orange in the United States is also 

 such as to awaken apprehension, because of the decreased import duties 

 under the tariff of 1913. It will require tkne to demonstrate what the 



*Bulletin 11, California Citrus Protective League. Los Angeles, "The World's Produc- 

 tion and Commerce in Citrus Fruits and Their By-products," by F. O. Wallschlaeger, 

 Secretary. 



