TWENTY-EIGHTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



85 



nized the wide world over that the alluvial soil is not the best soil for 

 the raising of fruits. It is a good soil, but not the best for high qualities 

 of fruit. Fruit grown thereon is apt to be too coarse, too heavy, and 

 with large cells. 



MR. GRIFFITH. Mr. President, I suppose that largely the transla- 

 tion of this remark would depend upon "what kind of land I have got 5 '; 

 that each of us thinks we have the best conditions to raise the best 

 oranges. In our own district, I believe that most of us have agreed and 

 concluded that the lighter soil will produce a finer-skinned orange and 

 a better keeping orange than the heavier soil, and that is probably 

 because it is easier worked. I don't think there is any difference, really, 

 between the two kinds of soils; but it is easier to handle a light soil, 

 and consequently people can make an easier success of growing finer- 

 skinned and better keeping oranges on lighter soils than on the heavier 

 soils. For my part I much prefer lighter soils for growing oranges. 



PRESIDENT COOPER. I would like to say that there is some 

 sandy soil that furnishes more plant food than any other kind of soil. 

 Certain sandy soils are very rich in plant food. 



MR. GRIFFITH. Mr. President, I have a resolution that I would 

 like to read, for the sake of discussion, and then have it referred to the 

 Committee on Resolutions. If I read it now, with the permission of the 

 President, it is simply to get light, perhaps, on the subject, now that we 

 can have more time to discuss it than when the Committee on Resolu- 

 tions reports. I don't wish to have the resolution adopted, but would 

 like to read it for the sake of discussion. 



PRESIDENT COOPER. Read it. 



MR. GRIFFITH. The resolution is as follows: 



Whereas, By competent testimony before the Interstate Commerce Commission, 

 sitting in Los Angeles one month ago, it was established that the transportation com- 

 panies' freight rates were so excessive and the time consumed in the transit of fruit- 

 laden cars so unreasonably long as to leave the fruit-grower no margin of profit ; be it 



Resolved, That this Convention of Fruit-Growers, assembled at Los Angeles this 6th 

 day of May, 1903, demands a time schedule on East-bound fruit-cars, not to exceed six 

 days to Chicago and nine to New York, with a maximum rate of $1.25 per hundred- 

 weight, with a rebate of 10 per cent per day for each day of delay, and compensation for 

 any decay of the transmitted fruit ; be it 



- Resolved, That we recognize the intention of the railroad companies to foster the 

 lemon interests by granting an emergency rate the past winter, and believe it to be 

 their true policy to encourage the continuance of the whole citrus industry by a gradual 

 reduction of the freight tariff. 



Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by the Secretary to Hon. 

 C. A. Prouty, Interstate Commissioner. 



The resolutions were referred to the Committee on Resolutions. 



MR. HOFMAN. I have frequently heard and read of Mr. Teague's 

 articles on lemons, and I would like to ask one thing. He deals largely 

 with the climatic conditions of his own immediate neighborhood, I 

 think. Now, were he to try this tent proposition in our country, I think 



