INTRO D UCTOR Y. 9 



than the bearing capacity of our orchards, and there has never been a time since the 

 shipment of oranges on a large scale to the Western States commenced, when the 

 demand for good oranges did not exceed the supply. And yet, the markets of the 

 Northwest are only partially developed, and the East has not been touched at all. 



DR. O. P. CHUBB, of Orange, who two years ago was sent 

 to the Eastern States, by the Orange Growers' Protective 

 Union, of Southern California, to establish agencies, in his 

 essay on the "Future Markets for California Citrus Fruits," 

 said : 



The rapidity with which California citrus fruits have, within the past five years, 

 gained a foothold in eastern markets has greatly surprised not only Florida growers, 

 but importers from the Mediterranean. That oranges, lemons, and limes were pro- 

 duced on this coast, had, of course, long been known, but active competition in 

 quantity throughout the States east of the Rockies was neither suspected nor feared. 



Florida, however, cannot be materially affected by the increasing importance of 

 our trade, since her output is nearly or quite consumed before ours is sufficiently 

 mature to take its place. The only point of contest at issue between these two 

 sister States in the citrus trade seems to be one of quality and beauty, or, in other 

 words, a matter of "faints," concerning which a committee expressed an opinion 

 at New Orleans not long since. The Atlantic cities appreciate fine fruits, and in 

 this respect there is an opening for our growers to meet Florida in her own chosen 

 markets, and before her season closes. The lateness of California's main crop is 

 her strong hold in those cities west of the Atlantic seaboard. This climatic advan- 

 tage is an important one, and should be well considered in the selection of varieties 

 for planting, since the later the shipments are made the better the prices obtained 

 (at least, such has been the case in past seasons) up to the middle of July, when 

 strawberries and other small summer fruits interfere. The great Northwest is, 

 however, capable of absorbing our entire product at remunerative prices as early 

 or late as it is in fair or fit condition to place. The States west of New York and 

 Pennsylvania are depending more and more each year on California for spring ship- 

 ments of oranges, and the heavier consumption is steadily pushing westward. The 

 people there are all interested in California and her fruit products, and will choose 

 her oranges in preference to Mediterranean fruit of like quality and price. 



By intelligent propagation of imported varieties and stocks, aided by peculiar 

 adaptation of climate, soil, and methods of cultivation, our horticulturists have 

 developed new types of flavor, pulp, and peel, which western taste is not slow to 

 recognize and appreciate. The Washington Navel stands to-day the peer of any 

 orange known in the market, and is really the autocrat of the price list. Following 

 this winner of gold medals and golden opinions come the luscious St. Michael, the 

 sprightly Mediterranean Sweet, the handsome and characteristic Valencia, and late 

 and various improved selections from the older orchards of seedlings, not to mention 

 the average seedling, of a quality equal to anything grown on the coast or islands 

 of the Mediterranean. 



All these varieties, as the product of California soil and climate, possess that 

 happy combination of sugar and acid, of flavor and aroma, which not only pleases 

 the palate but corrects the bile of the eastern consumer as he emerges from the 



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