10 



wrong there and in every other orange growing community 

 that he condescended to inspect. 



Some few laughed him to scorn and would not admit 

 that the methods tested by years of experiment should be 

 set aside on the ex-cathedra advice of one who might be an 

 authority and who might also be an impractical theorist. 

 In general, however, his revolutionary statements were re- 

 ceived by the growers with chastened attention, if not with 

 humiliation and repentance, and many said, "Well, he may 

 be right, we are not sure," and they are preparing to adopt 

 the recommendations of this wise man from England and 

 make a complete change in their cultural methods. They 

 are ready to do this because they are not confident of the 

 correctness of their present methods and not satisfied with 

 the results they are attaining. 



Nearly two years ago the paper with which I am con- 

 nected startled some of the orange growers of Riverside, and 

 offended others, by announcing in a leading editorial that the 

 orange groves of this, the oldest and largest citrus growing 

 district in the state, were not producing nearly as much fruit 

 as they ought to or as the groves in certain other sections, 

 where the conditions were practically the same as in River- 

 side, were producing. We followed up this editorial with a 

 series of articles that were intended to prove the correct- 

 ness of the premises laid down and to arouse interest in 

 improved methods. We made out a very good case, at least 

 we thought so, and some growers were even grateful for 

 the criticism and said so (an experience that is exceedingly 

 rare in newspaper offices). We invited suggestions as to 

 remedies and received scores of letters many of which read 

 like the directions for the use of patent medicines and 

 advanced claims for results that were as sweeping as those 

 guaranteed in the advertisements of these same remedies. 

 Some of these suggestions were well considered and helpful, 

 others were fantastical and absurd; but even the most 

 absurd received a measure of consideration because the 

 average grower does not feel sure that his methods are the 



