TWENTY-EIGHTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



165 



so far as present indications point it will be difficult to produce more of 

 this fruit than the markets can take care of at reasonably profitable 

 prices; provided, however, that the growers send to market only a 

 superior article, such as the Washington Navel is capable of being made; 

 and further provided, that the transportation companies will deliver 

 them promptly and with the least possible injury. 



The Australian Navel was introduced into Southern California at 

 about the same time as the Washington Navel. As every grower knows, 

 the tree of the Australian is a more vigorous grower than the Washing- 

 ton, but is a shy and irregular bearer. It is not the province of this 

 paper to enter into a discussion of the difference between the Washing- 

 ton and the Australian Navel, and how these differences may have been 

 brought about. Suffice it to say that there is a radical difference in the 

 shape and growth of the tree as well as in the character of the fruit. 



Unfortunately the Australian has been well scattered through the 

 orchards of Southern California. In the early days it was supposed by 

 many to be identical with the Washington Navel, and no particular care 

 was taken in securing buds for nursery stock. Orchards generally were 

 thus badly spotted with the Australian; but many orchardists have very 

 wisely rebudded to the more popular variety. 



The continued demand for a better orange is imperative, and it 

 behooves every grower, in order to make his business a success and to 

 keep California in the lead as an orange-producing section, to grow only 

 the best fruit, and the Australian Navel does not possess merit sufficient 

 to warrant any grower in retaining it in his orchard, especially since it 

 has been thoroughly demonstrated that large trees may be successfully 

 budded. The Australian comes in a little later than the Washington 

 Navel, and has at times in the past on this account found a good 

 demand after the Washingtons have been marketed. I believe, however, 

 that when the Valencia Late comes to be more plentiful, which it 

 evidently will in the near future, or the Navelencia proves to be all that 

 it is claimed for it, the Australian Navel will go begging, not finding 

 any so poor as to want it at any price. 



Recently the Valencia Late has won favor with both the grower and 

 the trade. In fact, from the phenomenally high prices received, 

 especially last year, it may be said that it has become famous as a 

 profitable orange to grow. Not only in Southern California has the 

 Valencia Late won favor, but growers north of the Tehachapi have been 

 attracted by it. The result is, this variety has perhaps been more 

 extensively set out during the last two years than any other. Especially 

 is this true if we are to take into consideration other varieties which 

 have been rebudded to it. We may, therefore, soon expect a very large 

 annual increase in the yield of this splendid orange. We are not pre- 

 pared to predict with certainty just what the marketing results of this 



