40 



fully packed as Italian, there is no reason why they should not find as 

 good a market. Of course, as the lemons have to come here from Italy, 

 if steamers are short of freight at any time, they no doubt offer a con- 

 cession for oranges, for which they know there is not much demand. 

 Importations. Oranges. Lemons. 



Catania 21,370 boxes 84,200 boxes 



Messsina 129,700 „ 506,000 „ 



Palermo 116,900 „ 1,161,350 „ 



Sorrento 103,500 „ 72,750 „ 



Rodi 55,000 „ 26,500 „ 



As mentioned in our last, the failure of the Florida crop this year 



upsets calculations. 



We are, Dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 

 Gillespie, Bros. & Co. 



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



Plantations. 



Dear Sir, 1st March, 1895 



Referring to your letters of the 11th and 18th January last, we 

 have to advise that by reason of the exceptionally cold weather which 

 has reached Florida this year, the position of our market for oranges 

 is completely changed. 



The cold spell at New Year nearly ruined this year's crop ; but 

 the second visitation of about three weeks ago was much more severe, 

 freezing temperatures lasting several days, and this has completed the 

 ruin of the present crop ; and we learn from the best informed sources, 

 seriously damaged the trees, especially the young ones, which will 

 have to be cut down and their production delayed for several seasons. 

 This means that, at least, next year's Florida crop will be a very small 

 one ; and it is not likely, under most favourable circumstances, to as- 

 sume the proportions of the last few years for several seasons to come. 



We therefore look for a good market for Jamaica fruit all next win- 

 ter, and possibly for several winters to come ; and we should certainly 

 advise growers with you to keep this in view. And if the quantity can 

 be increased and the quality improved by artificial means, the outlook 

 should encourage immediate attention to the subject. 



As the Florida fruit comes here regularly sized, and the number of 

 oranges printed on the outside of each package, we strongly advise the 

 nse of American sizing machines, which will assist in economical hand- 

 ling and ready sale on arrival here. 



We do not anticipate, nor do we wish to lead growers to expect, fancy 

 prices, as 3 while some of the largest dealers in Florida fruit are looking 

 for other sources of supply for next season's consumption, Jamaica is 

 not the only place from which supplies can be obtained. As, however, 

 all imported oranges pay duty, Jamaica will not have to meet unfair 

 competition, as has been the case with the large crop of duty-free fruit 

 from Florida. 



Good quality of Jamaica fruit is today worth $ 4. 59 to $5.50 per bbL 

 Some choice sized fruit sold yesterday as high as $6.00 to $6.62J per bbL. 



We are, Dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



Gillespie Bros. & Co. 



