THIRTY-FOURTH FRUIT-GROWERS ' COXVENTIOX. 



can only be sold in interior markets for the New York price of foreigns. 

 plus the freight from New York to these interior markets, and plus the 

 premium the buyer is willing to pay for the superior quality, honest 

 packing and grading of the California lemons, which in the latter case, 

 I am glad to say, is often from fifty cents to one dollar a box. On the 

 other hand, the great bulk of California lemons are sold at private 

 sales by our different marketing agencies to legitimate dealers, and not 

 speculators, the tendenc}^ being more and more for the shippers to build 

 up regular trade with dealers who will look to them for a supply, and 

 who Avill order the lemons shipped, instead of depending for their 

 supply on tramp cars. This means a more even distribution and less 

 likelihood of glutted markets, and the effect is higher prices. Do not 

 imagine, however, that the foreigner can be displaced without a fight. 



It costs money to make markets, and if we have a rapidly increasing 

 production, we shall see some low prices during that time. This, per- 

 haps, is well illustrated by the market conditions this winter and spring. 

 The shipments from California, on account of the heavy crop, have 

 been much heavier than usual, whereas the foreign shipments have been 

 fully as heav}^ as usual. This means that lemons have been offered 

 to the trade faster than they wanted them, and as the foreigner was 

 here with his usual supply, it meant low prices : but Avhen we shall 

 have reached the point where we are supplying the greatest part of the 

 markets of the country. I am confident that it will be lietter for the 

 California lemon grov\'er. 



If, then, there is room for a greater lemon production, what are the 

 requisites of success ? Careful selection of location is very important. 

 It should be as nearly frostless as possible. I believe that the sections 

 ranging from twenty to t\venty-five miles from the ocean are best 

 adapted to lemon growinu. just as the warm inland sections are best for 

 the orange. These coast sections groAv a much higher percentage of 

 summer lemons, and the fruit is harder and firmer, although the inland 

 section probably grows smoother fruit. The business, however, is being 

 successfully engaged in in the inland districts. 



Care should be taken in the selection of the soil. It should be loamy 

 and well drained. Adobe soil is not suitable on account of the liability 

 of the tree to gum disease. 



A good supply of pure water, comparatively free from alkali, is 

 necessary. 



The -selection of the stock for planting is important. If the soil is 

 loamy and well drained, trees budded on sweet stock will do very well ; 

 but if it is very heavy, or the grade of the land so slight that good 

 drainage can not be had. by all means plant sour stock, as trees budded 

 on the latter will be much more resistant to gum disease under unfavor- 

 able conditions. The buds should come from prolific trees, producing 

 good fruit. The Eureka and Lisbon have stood the test of time, as 

 being the best suited to California conditions. The Eureka begins 

 bearing earlier, produces more smnmer fruit, gets its fruit to size 

 greener, and perhaps is the favorite with the average grower. The 

 Lisbon, on the other hand, is a fine variety. It grows much larger, 

 is hardier, more resistant to frost, the fruit smoother and produces well 

 as it grows older. 



