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Messrs. Gillespie Bros. 8f Co. to Director of Public Gardens. 



No. 4 Stone Street, New York, 



Jan. 11th, 1895. 



Dear Sir, 



In reply to your letter of the 24th ult., we think that planters in Ja- 

 maica should certainly try to cultivate their oranges so that they could 

 arrive here in November, and the early part of December, which is be- 

 fore the Florida oranges come forward. At that time good quality 

 oranges are worth from $5.00 to $6.00 per bbl., but after the Floridas 

 come forward the price rapidly drops to $2.00 to $3.00 per bbl., and 

 continues at this until late in the spring, say March and April, when 

 sometimes, if the Florida crop runs out, and the supply of Messina fruit 

 is small, there is a demand for Jamaicas at from $4.00 to $6.00 per bbl., 

 but since theFlorida crop has assumed the large proportions it has dur- 

 ing the past two or three years, the only chance Jamaica fruit has here 

 seems to be early in the winter. Of course at the present time owing 

 to the recent cold snap, which has almost destroyed the Florida crop, 

 we look for a good demand for Jamaicas from now on, but this is de- 

 cidedly exceptional. Any further information we shall be very pleased 

 at any time to give you. 



And remain, Dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 

 Gillespie Bros. & Co. 



Messrs. Gillespie Bros, Co. to Director of Public Gardens and 



Plantations. 



Dear Sir, 18th January, 1895. 



Your letter of the 1st inst. was duly received and contents have had 

 our careful attention. 



Orange and lemons are shipped here in considerable quantities from 

 Italy. At foot you will find a statement of the importations from the 

 various ports from January 1st to December 31st, 1894. 



Oranges. — Before the Florida crop assumed the large proportions it 

 has in recent years this country depended in a considerable measure 

 upon Italy for supplies ; and as the fruit from there is of desirable 

 quality, comes carefully packed, and is brought in steamers specially 

 adapted to the purpose, there is still a considerable quantity marketed 

 in the latter part of the winter, say from March to May ; but this 

 being done profitably depends in a great measure upon whether supplies 

 from Florida fall off, as they usually do, at that time of the year. 

 Jamaica fruit or aay other fruit of equal quality would sell as well ; but, 

 unfortunately, Jamaica fruit does not come here carefully selected and 

 sized Quality varies very much. The Italian fruit runs even, is 

 quite free from drops and thorned oranges, and comes in boxes 160, 

 200, 240, and 300, according to grade (size). 



Lemons. — The lemons grown in Florida are not of desirable quality. 

 They are large, thick-skinned and perishable ; consequently the bulk of 

 what are used in this country comes from Italy. They come in boxes 

 of 240, 300, or 360 each, all even size. 



It is our opinion that if Jamaica oranges were cultivated and as care- • 



