Members Present The following answered the roll call: L. Blybach, Fullerton; F. Fitzgibbon, Redlands; H. Welcome, Redlands; O. Emerson, Redlands; George Van Buskirk, Los Angeles; J. Hager, Alta Loma; W. Benchley, Fullerton; G. Musson, Redlands; J. Steward, Redlands; A. Break, Bryn Mawr; R. W. Evans, Puente; S. V. Newton, Puente; J. H. Strait, president, Redlands; C. P. Earley, general manager, Redlands; G. E. Shaw, Fullerton; A. M. Pratt, Redlands; J. Canady, Rialto; E. Gilman, Yorba Linda; R. O. McDonald, Lindsey; R. Merchant, Garden Grove; F. Ruggles, field department; E. J. Sackett, Redlands; W. H. Blodget, Jr., field department; E. Maxwell, Olive; J. H. Ritchie, Anaheim; F. M. Keyes, Covina; S. Merchant, Covina; T. Woodward, La Habra; H. E. Churchill, Los Angeles; and S. Whippo of Fullerton. British African Notes There is an increased demand for modern agricultural implements in British Africa. It is interesting to note that tooth harrows are used more than other types in South Africa, though some few are adopting the disc. In both the northern Transvaal and East Africa, farming activities are growing. Along the Gold Coast there is no agricultural machinery with the exception of a few pieces used by the govern ment. You Can Use Universal Brand Sprays With Confidence Universal Brand Sprays are specially made to save citrus groves from Red Spider, Citricola and Black Scale. Every where trees have been sprayed with Universal Brand products these destructive pests have been promptly controlled. The economy of Universal Sprays is not realized only in the crops that are saved and bettered, but also in the purchase price. Our prices have always been consistently low. Be sure to call on Mr. Herbert, our assistant entomologist, if you have a special problem regarding your grove. He can be found at our Los Angeles office. What SELLS the ORANGE? Appearance counts for fully 50 per cent. You know it. The receiver knows it. The retailer as well. And the consumer buys by the eye. Can you afford to sacrifice the opportunity for securing the bestgoing price through failing to Brogdex your oranges? Does the receiver want Brogdexed fruit? Ask any leader in any market and he will tell you frankly: "Put up a tight pack, attractive fruit, sound fruit-leave the rest to us." He will also advise that looks sell California oranges. Here are a few extracts from scores of letters recently received. They point the way. Can you afford to fall behind the procession? RYAN FRUIT COMPANY Seattle, Wash., April 6-"Samples arrived in perfect condition. Have examined same carefully and admit never having seen fruit treated like this. It really looks as though you had discovered a propostiion that will be very beneficial." MARTIN-WOODS CO. Davenport, Iowa, April 12-"Received sample April 5. Came in perfect condition. Writer has them still on his desk and they appear as when first sent. Received recently car grapefruit (Florida) treated by Brogdex method. This is the only car that has arrived to us in a sound condition. All the other cars have come in showing 10 to 17 per cent decaj. It seems to me that you have something that is going to revolutionize the shipping of fruit from distant points. The above are the only two instances that we have come in contact with this method and it looks to us like it is going to be a wonderful success." SCALZO-GUNN-FIORITA FRUIT CO. St. Louis, Mo., April 18—“Regarding sample orange and lemons sent us claimed they were Brogdexed on Jan. 18-Have kept these in a warm room ever since they reached us to see how they would hold up and must say that we are surprised at their present condition. Neither the orange nor lemon show any signs of decay and our opinion is that you have a wonderful process for holding such fruit. We are buying most of our fruit through and would be glad to have you take this matter up with them." M. LONGO FRUIT CO. St. Louis, Mo., April 4-"Received today's mail orange and lemon Brogdexed Jan 18. Both are in perfect condition. If you could induce shippers to have their fruit Brogdexed we know it would bring a premium at auction that would well repay them as we would certainly pay more for fruit that has been Brogdexed providing what you sent today is a fair sample. Suggest have representatives of shippers at St. Louis indicate on auction catalogue when fruit has been Brogdexed. Feel sure that extra price that fruit will bring will soon induce them to Brogdex all their fruit." FURTHER INF Brogdex Comp What SELLS the LEMON? Color, plumpness, soundness, and above all, appearance. Do you realize that fully one-half the present losses in handling lemons arising from decay can be prevented? you Do know what will reduce these losses—and at the same time will keep the lemon fresh, plump and bright so that the consumer will be pleased? tell Ask any one who has handled Brogdexed lemons and he will you that Brogdexed lemons actually sell themselves. Why are the experienced lemon men demanding Brogdex? Why will receivers pay more for Brogdexed fruit? Here are more extracts from recent letters. HIND & FUCHS NIERMANN CO. St. Louis Mo., April 18-"Kegarding samples orange and lemon mailed us which was Progdexed on January 18-have delayed writing you as we have placed other oranges with yours to see what effects of time would be. On examination we find that the ones which were not Brogdexed have shrunk in size and are withered and drying up while the the Brogdexed orange appears to be nearly fresh. We are going to let these oranges stay for a little while longer to see what the final end will be. It appears that the Brogdex as treated in yours which was sent by parcel post will be a great benefit to the citrus industry." BOURKE-DONALDSON-TAYLOR, INC. Remarkable the Denver, Colo., April 4-"Sample received. Contents carefully noted. way stock has kept. Have had a great many cars of Florida grapefruit treated by this method and in this respect these cars have been satisfactory in every sense. It is Our opinion that it is a great asset to the citrus industry and we believe the time is coming when everyone will demand nothing else but fruit treated by this method." STRIPES CITRUS PACKING COMPANY Fort Myers, Fla., April 21-"Regarding Brogdex: We have used this method on nearly all of our fruit this season, having run perhaps thirty or forty cars through our house before the installment was completed, and having run something over four hundred cars through the Brogdex method. "I take pleasure in stating that our experience with Brogdex is thoroughly satisfactory. We have recently sent out a questionnaire to all our dealers, with the most satisfactory result as to their replies. "If the Brogdex method had no influence whatever in preventing decay, which it has. we would still continue to use it on account of the additional keeping quality and fresh appearance of the fruit on arrival at destination. Our dealers express themselves as so much benefitted by this fresh appearance that we feel now it would be a disaster if we were not able to continue its use. "I will be glad for you to call on us at any time for any special information regarding our use of the Brogdex method." So The Cash Buyer COME of our prominent citrus fruit men appear to hold in utter contempt the cash buyer, or speculator, as he is called. The writer does not share that view. A growers' organization, non-speculative and non-profit, if it is not too hidebound in its policies, and if it is flexible enough in its operations, can make use of the cash buyer to the benefit of its growers. The same man who is willing to offer six cents a pound on the tree, or any other price, to the grower for his fruit, is just as ready to buy for spot cash any car of citrus fruit that has been packed and is ready to go. As a salesman, it is then a matter of his judgment against mine as to what the market will be when the car reaches its destination some two weeks hence. If superior market information enables me to out-guess him, I may sell him a car of oranges that if rolled East would bring considerably less money. The difference, then, between a grower selling for cash his crop on the tree, and permitting it to be sold through his own association, which is in position to sell either for spot cash or on a delivered basis East, is that the Association is in better position to gauge the situation, and therefore realize more on the average than the cash man can afford to pay. The association has the advantage of being able to pool over a long or short period, and when sufficient and certain volume of shipments can be assured, is able to lay plans for a considerable time in advance, and yet is not compelled to hazzard a guess on the market for a longer period than two weeks. The association is not required to deal in what is usually termed "futures.' It sells for prompt shipment only, or at the most a week or so in advance. Should conditions point to an advancing market, cars will be shipped East for sale on arrival, otherwise the association, if it is alive to its opportunities, will make use of the cash buyer, and sell as many cars as possible "Spot Cash California." There is every reason, therefore, to assume that the grower who stays by his own association and consistently supports it by picking his fruit when the house manager wants it, is the one most likely to profit in the end. COMMENT The packing house manager is frequently confronted with the assertion that cash buyers are offering certain prices, and the question is asked: "Can you guarantee that if I ship my fruit through the association I will receive equal or better returns?" The manager is compelled to say, "No, I cannot guarantee anything," and yet obviously the man who buys for cash a crop of oranges expects to sell them for more than he paid for them. He has no friendly or philanthropic interest in the citrus fruit grower. On the other hand, he expects to make a profit. Sometimes he does, and sometimes he doesn't. It is safe to say that if the speculator's judgment was good, the grower's judgment was bad, and the grower who stands by his guns and ships through his association in the usual way, receives not only the benefit of the advance in the market that enables the cash operator to reap a profit, but he stands a good chance of receiving additional profits by reason of the superior marketing facilities of his association. It is also a safe statement that three times out of five the man who sells for cash his crop of oranges on the tree takes less than the one who consistently ships through an association. The cash buyer, being willing and ready to back his judgment with his money, frequently is the means of creating an optimistic atmosphere, so essential to the successful marketing of any citrus fruit crop. To that extent he is to be encouraged, but the grower will do well to accept the judgment of his own packing house manager as to the manner of disposing of his crop. J. A. STEWARD. W Did Smudging Pay E have received many communications since January, requesting us to give our ideas concerning the results obtained by growers in the use of various methods for frost protection. Growers throughout the state are vitally interested in this problem and are anxiously seeking bona fide data showing just what individual growers have accomplished. There are many growers who believe that they have actually saved their crop by using some particular method. We would like to present through Citrus Leaves, the opinions and experiences of those who used some one of the several methods during the recent cold period. This is one way in which we can all be of inestimable service to our fellow growers. Send your ideas and facts to us and we will disseminate the information to growers throughout the entire state. You may possess data that will save hundreds of thousands of dollars for the industry. It is your duty as a grower to co-operate with others in the industry. You can do it now by giving him the benefit of your own actual experiences. Let us fortify ourselves against future loss by broadcasting as much authentic matter as possible concerning this vital question. ment of careful readers in all parts of the world. Such letters, as the one given below, stimulate us to do better work and be of greater service to those who enjoy reading "Citrus Leaves." GENERAL SALES AGENCY, INC., Mr. Bruce W. McDaniel, Dear Sir: The March number of "Citrus Leaves" just arrived at this office and we want to compliment you on the general appearance and makeup of your publication. The title page is certainly magnificent and the color work and printing generally could not be improved upon. The articles are all interesting and apparently written by experts. Trust the magazine is getting all the circulation it deserves. We notice also you have an efficient business getting department with quite a few good ads appearing in the "Leaves." Please keep us on your mailing list as we assure you we greatly appreciate the opportunity of seeing the magazine from month to month. E Yours very truly, GENERAL SALES AGENCY, INC. By H. Rose. For the Grower VERY citrus grower should give serious thought to the very pertinent suggestions outlined by Mr. W. H. Blodget, Jr., in his article appearing in this issue. Greater efficiency in the handling of the citrus crop up to the point of shipment will naturally re-act in favor of the grower. As competition increases we must do our level best to improve our methods of operation and adopt the most modern equipment. Despite such factors, however, a grower will never secure maximum results without giving his packing house his unstinted support and co-operation. The manager of the packing house is an important link in the chain of citrus fruit production. The strength of the link depends in great measure upon you the grower. Mr. Blodget has a message for you, and one that should be taken to heart. BreallMe Daniel Readers of Citrus Leaves will be sorry to hear of the death of the small son of Mr. C. O. Heim, vice-president of the Olive Hillside Groves, and also that of the daughter of Mr. O. Emerson, son-in-law of J. H. Strait, president of the Mutual Orange Distributors. Brookhurst House Opens The Brookhurst packing house, an auxiliary of the Fullerton Mutual Orange Association, located three miles from the head packing building shipped its first car of the season on April tenth. The capacity of this new house is two cars per day. Mr. S. Whippo, formerly foreman at the Fullerton house, is directing the work of the new house. Mr. G. E. Shaw is In brief, the successful operation of a packing house requires absolute and businesslike co-operation between the growers and their managers. Growers should at all times be loyal to their packing house, do all they can to boost their trade, and secure more growers for their packing house if there is room for more. In helping the association the grower is also benefiting himself. It is a case where the packing house owner must look at things from the viewpoint of the growers, and the growers in turn, from the point of view of their managers. You will be surprised what wonderful results can be obtained, if these basic principles are followed out. |