anaheim-gazette 1919-07-03

FUTURE MARKET OF AVOCADOS DISCUSSED COMPARISON OF CALIFORNIA FRUIT WITH FLORIDA PRODUCT MADE BY RIVERSIDE MAN Little Danger of Market Ever Being Overstocked Owing to Small Area in Which it Can be Grown. "What About the Avocado Market?" was the subject of a paper read by George S. McClure of Riverside at the meeting of the California Avocado Association. In that paper the outlook for the maintenance of prices of the avocado is discussed. McClure's paper follows: What about the market? I think that is about the commonest question I hear in regard to the avocado, and I hear it from two sides. You opulent rich who have a few trees are wondering how long you can net a dollar a pound for your fruit; and the common people, who have to worry along with nothing more profitable than banks, gold mines and oil wells to provide the where-with-all, are wondering if the time will ever come when it will be safe to acquire an avocado appetite. As the members of this association seem to wear the smile of the man who "has his," let us consider the question taste for potatoes. I imagine Sir Walter Raleigh must have had quite a job convincing the English that potatoes were really good to eat, but there are quite a few of them eaten today, even if you can carry home a dollar's worth in a paper bag. The taste for tomatoes has but recently been acquired, but the entire acreage in the United States suitable to avocado culture, if solidly planted, would not supply the demand if avocados were eaten as generally as tomatoes. Miami, Florida, offers perhaps the only example of how the avocado will be accepted by the American people when a supply becomes available. There are a great many seedling trees scattered about in the door yards and in small plantings near town. These fruit ripen in the late summer and early fall. The average price during the season that the fruit is plentiful is about 12 cents a pound. When it drops below this figure the consumption increases and the price quickly swings back to normal. If the crop is light and the price is above 12 cents, the consumption by the laboring classes falls off, but at 12 cents a pound, avocados take a substantial place with other nutritious foods even among the negro laborers; and I would estimate that the average daily consumption in Miami during August and September is fully one-fourth pound per capita. When I first became interested in the avocado, the few Trapp fruits that were being shipped north from Florida were netting the growers $3 a dozen or about 25 cents a pound. Even the wildest optimist admitted that this price could not continue, but even if it dropped fifty per cent, they would still have a big profit. That was BIG NAVY IS NEVER TO HELP Britten Declares Should Never Alone to "I hope that our League of Nations a subterfuge for e because no one can part we are to planning of world ways contend that seas shall never enter England, but that equally in this house for gun, man for with the greatest earth." So said Representeen, of Illinois, on naval authorities chairman of the yards and docks Affairs Committee ent. "The claim that disputed mistress forever be like wife the mill. America stand, if not as the equal of any sea as well to" "I was astonished of the Navy Day committee that ting program which stick to drive them into the League abandoned, especially fact that he recould be incomthe world. It w enthusiasts that second to no navy for military but the protection of hear it from two sides. You opulent rich who have a few trees are wondering how long you can net a dollar a pound for your fruit; and the common people, who have to worry along with nothing more profitable than banks, gold mines and oil wells to provide the where-with-all, are wondering if the time will ever come when it will be safe to acquire an avocado appetite. As the members of this association seem to wear the smile of the man who "has his," let us consider the question from the sellers' point of view. It is really startling to make figures on the probable profits from avocado growing. No matter how conservatively you figure, your results will appear far too rosy. A theoretical calculation is pretty sure to look something like this: You are now getting from 75 cents to $1 each for fruit averaging about a pound in weight. Basing our estimate on individual trees, an acre of avocados of the best variety will produce at least 10,000 pounds of fruit in a year. The cost of producing this fruit, after the trees are fully established, is about two cents a pound; leaving a net profit of $9,800 an acre. It sounds like the chicken story, doesn't? Of course it cannot be proved either true or false because there are no acre groves of full bearing trees of the better varieties, but there are several trees in California, the average annual crops of which reduced to an acre basis, would produce a still more startling example. I will try, therefore, to be as conservative as possible in speaking of the conditions as I actually know them, and I hope you will pardon me if I refer especially to Florida where the growers have already started to market their fruit in the open markets of the North. Prices of all commodities are regulated by supply and demand. There is at present practically no supply of avocados. There never can be a large supply, for the territory suitable to their culture is very limited. In the United States it is limited by temperature to a small area in California and another in Florida. These two areas combined would hardly equal in size the state of Connecticut. In the countries to the south of us, supply is limited by the happy "go-lucky" characteristic that limits the vision to manana, or at most pasado manana. To put his money and time into something that will produce no returns for several years is not the way of our estimate that the average daily consumption in Miami during August and September is fully one-fourth pound per capita. When I first became interested in the avocado, the few Trapp fruits that were being shipped north from Florida were netting the growers $3 a dozen or about 25 cents a pound. Even the wildest optimist admitted that this price could not continue, but even if it dropped fifty per cent, they would still have a big profit. That was twelve years ago. Instead of dropping the price for late fruit has advanced until within the past year or so, net returns of 50 cents a pound have occasionally been received. This price is due not so much to the superiority of the budded varieties, but to the fact that nearly all the seedling Florida and West Indian fruit is then off the market. Regardless of what we may think of the superiority of our California varieties, most of the fruit reaching the large centers of population are of the West Indian variety, and all shipments of Guatemalans into these markets should contain clear instructions about their ripening. The West Indian ripens from the seed toward the skin, so that when the fruit shows the first sign of softening it is ready to use. The Guatemalan varieties I have eaten ripen from the skin toward the seed; and after spoiling several fine fruits by cutting them before they were ripe, I have adopted the plan of keeping them until they were fully ripe by West Indian standards, and then wait about three days longer. For this very reason I believe the California avocado will ship better than the West Indian varieties, but unless the eastern buyer is warned he will try to eat it too green, and of course condemn it. Even a good Californian of many years' residence told me last fall that he had just enten a Taft avocado and that it was tough and tasteless. He said he knew it was ripe because it was fully as large as the purple fruit he had been getting. When I told him that the Taft, when mature, should have been several times as large as the one he had eaten and should have weighed a pound or more, he said he did not know any California avocados ever got that large. He had eaten it all and was still living, so I suppose green avocados are not fatal anyway. It is said against the avocado that it cannot be cooked. To me it would ap- of the Navy Dairy committee that taking program which stick to drive them into the League abandoned, especially fact that he recalls should be income world. It was enthusiasts that second to no name for military but the protection of commerce on them. "I am quite sure public will not cease of naval appropriate interests of economic efficiency. In this defense from november irrespective does with will not stand for shipships that are payers of hundred lars in reserve away. I believe to the world to bring conditions in for peace than under skeleton trained personnel action. The prairie thing in this nation, but the power will insist upon manned with suit safety of our in every part of." COUNTY TAX Tax levies for year are now attribution of tax pecials; therefore review of the low past two years terresting, and solving of some being encountered for the fiscal. The amount of purposes by them for the fiscal year 1918, was $61 million levied for June 30, 1919 an increase of $6 cent. For the purpose divided this study—general count... United States it is limited by temperature to a small area in California and another in Florida. These two areas combined would hardly equal in size the state of Connecticut. In the countries to the south of us, supply is limited by the happy "go-lucky" characteristic that limits the vision to manana, or at most pasado manana. To put his money and time into something that will produce no returns for several years is not the way of our Latin neighbor. American capital may plant to some extent in Cuba and Porto Rico, though I have seen but two small plantings of commercial varieties in the West Indies and I do not know of any others. Lack of rapid transportation will also limit competition from the tropics. I cannot see where any supply can ever come from that would supply the United States. should the consumption per capita ever reach that of Southern Florida or Cuba. It is safe to say that the average per capita consumption in Havana is more than a quarter of a pound per day during those seasons when avocados can be bought for less than seven cents a pound. Should the per capita consumption in America ever reach one-fifth that of Havana it would require 5,000,000 pounds a day or 1,500,000,000 pounds for the 300 days of each year that our present varieties should cover. This would be the product of 150,000 acres at the rate of 10,000 pounds per acre. Will the American demand ever equal this one-twentieth of a pound a day? I assure you that it will not at $1 a pound. I feel sure it will if the supply ever reaches the point where avocados can be bought at ten or fifteen cents a pound. The avocado taste is no more an acquired one than the purple fruit he had been getting. When I told him that the Taft, when mature, should have been several times as large as the one he had eaten and should have weighed a pound or more, he said he did not know any California avocados ever got that large. He had eaten it all and was still living, so I suppose green avocados are not fatal anyway. It is said against the avocado that it cannot be cooked. To me it would appear to be an advantage that it can be eaten and is at its best without cooking and without processing. The objection of some that it cannot be canned or preserved except by refrigeration is met by the wide seasonal range of maturity. It is needless to preserve them if we can keep up a constant supply right from the trees. While it is likely that for many years to come the price of avocados will keep them in the luxury class, I feel sure that should the production ever become large enough, they will take affirm place with the other nutritious foods and will find a ready sale to the masses at prices several times the cost of production. That the avocado is really a food is evidenced by the fact that it is considerable of a question to protect the fruit on the trees from the depredations of wild animals. The racoons are specially fond of them and even after the "coon" is caught in a steel trap while after his favored food, he will continue contentedly eating away as long as there is a ripe avocado within his reach, blissfully oblivious to the pain from the sharp steel jaws of the trap. Anaheim Gazette per year, $1.50, payable in advance. The amount of purposes by them for the fiscal year 1918, was $68, amount levied for June 30, 1919 an increase of $2 cent. For the purpose divided this study—general county purposes and special analysis brief facts. Under the healthy purposes" a tax necessary at county of the salaries and employees, and sick of the without county tenance and roads and bridges structured by direct interest on and debt, the ad and such other sary for the co-business. For the fiscal year 1918, a total of led for general for the fiscal year the amount of $505,880.00. The 1919 was $2,098. A more detailed tax levies for goods brings out the expenses and roads, hospitals we find that in $25,374,289.89, or $570.36 or $6.59 p For road and BIG NAVY IS NEEDED TO HELP POLICE WORLD Britten Declares Control of the Seas Should Never Again be Left Alone to England. "I hope that our entrance into the League of Nations will not be used as a subterfuge for economy in the Navy, because no one can now tell just what part we are to play in the future domination of world peace, and I shall always contend that the policing of the seas shall never again be left alone to England, but that we must share equally in this honor and expense, gun for gun, man for man, ship for ship, with the greatest naval power on the earth." So said Representative Fred A. Britten, of Illinois, one of the foremost naval authorities in Congress and chairman of the sub-committee on yards and docks of the House Naval Affairs Committee, to your correspondent. "The claim that England is the undisputed mistress of the sea should forever be like water that has passed the mill. America must take her stand, if not as mistress, at least as the equal of any power on earth on the sea as well as on the land. "I was astonished when Secretary of the Navy Daniels informed the committee that the three-year building program which was used as a big stick to drive the nations of the world into the League of Nations was to be abandoned, especially in view of the fact that he recently said that ours should be incomparably the best in the world. It was the idea of naval enthusiasts that America was to be second to no nation in building, not for military but for peace purposes in the protection of our vastly increasing and maintenance, $5,768,787.96 was levied in 1918, while $6,132,265.43 was levied in 1919, an increase of $363,-477.47 or 6.30 per cent. A decrease of $254,751.05 or 9.81 per cent is shown in the 1919 levies for hospitals and indigents. A decrease of $23,705.37 or 10.59 per cent is also shown in the 1919 levies for building by direct taxation, while the decrease in 1919 for advertising the counties amounted to $9,501.79 or 5.8 per cent. Tax levies of 1919 for interest and redemption of county debt increased $461,726.73 or 8.98 per cent. In the general classification, "educational purposes" are included all tax levies for general county elementary and high school purposes, all levies for special maintenance of elementary and high schools, the levies for interest and redemption of the indebtedness of the elementary and high schools, all levies for the support of the kindergartens and for school buildings built by direct taxation, the general county library tax and also all special district taxes. The total of all taxes levied by the counties in 1918 for educational purposes was $25,826,242.68; for 1919 these levies amounted to $28,506,454.52, an increase of $2,680,211.84 or 10.37 per cent. At this point it may be well to note that the increase in the 1919 tax levies for educational purposes amounted to approximately one-half of the total increase for all county purposes, this increase being $2,680,211.84. The increase for general county purposes was $2,098,005.95, while the increase for special district purposes amounted to $966,778.88 or 1.48 per cent. Subdividing the levies for educational purposes, we find that the elementary schools received the greatest in- of the Navy Daniels informed the committee that the three-year building program which was used as a big stick to drive the nations of the world into the League of Nations was to be abandoned, especially in view of the fact that he recently said that ours should be incomparably the best in the world. It was the idea of naval enthusiasts that America was to be second to no nation in building, not for military but for peace purposes in the protection of our vastly increasing commerce on the high seas. "I am quite sure that the American public will not countenance a slashing of naval appropriations merely in the interests of economy. The highest efficiency in this arm of our national defense from now on should be maintained irrespective of what the government does with a national army. I will not stand for the placing of battleships that are a cost to the taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars in reserve where they will rot away. I believe that a Navy known to the world to be in excellent fighting conditions is a greater safeguard for peace than a large Navy in reserve under skeleton crews and partially trained personnel, unfit for immediate action. The practice of economy is a fine thing in this day of heavy taxation, but the people of the country will insist upon a first class Navy, manned with sufficient force to ensure the safety of our commerce and honor in every part of the globe." COUNTY TAX LEVIES IN CALIFORNIA Tax levies for the ensuing fiscal year are now attracting the serious attention of tax payers and county officials; therefore we believe that a brief review of the levies made during the past two years will at least prove interesting, and may even assist in the solving of some of the difficulties now being encountered in making the levies for the fiscal year of 1919-1920. The amount of taxes levied for all purposes by the counties of California for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, was $65,129,980.47, and the amount levied for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, was $70,874,977.14, an increase of $5,744,966.67 or 8.82 per cent. For the purposes of analysis we have divided this study into three divisions—general county purposes, educational purposes. At this point it may be noted that the increase in the 1919 tax levies for educational purposes amounted to approximately one-half of the total increase for all county purposes, this increase being $2,680,211.84. The increase for general county purposes was $2,098,005.95, while the increase for special district purposes amounted to $966,778.88 or 1.48 per cent. Subdividing the levies for educational purposes, we find that the elementary schools received the greatest increase for the year 1919. For the year 1918 the general county levy, the levies for special maintenance and the levies for the redemption of debt and payment of interest on bonds of the elementary schools amounted to $14,400,205.77, while in 1919 all of the levies for these purposes amounted to $15,694,192.40, an increase of $1,293,986.63 or 8.98 per cent. The largest single item in amount was the general county levy for elementary schools. In 1918 this levy amounted to $7,518,965.72 and in 1919 it amounted to $8,112,873.34, an increase of $593,907.42 or 7.89 per cent. Following this item was the levy for special maintenance of elementary schools, which showed an increase of $523,115.05. It is interesting to note that although the amount of increase for general county elementary school purposes was the largest, the percentage of increase for special maintenance of elementary schools was the greatest, the former showing an increase of 7.89 per cent while the increase of the latter was 10.99 per cent. The tax levies of 1919 also show that large increases were for high school purposes, these increases approximating one million dollars. In 1918 the total of all county taxes levied for high school purposes amounted to $9,.655,412.52, and in 1919 the total of all these taxes amounted to $10,651,142.23, an increase of $995,729.71, or 10.30 per cent. By a comparison of the items included in the above figures we find that the largest single item of increase was for special maintenance of high schools, this increase amounting to $811,891.73 or 16.45 per cent. In 1919 the general county levy for high school purposes was increased $153,197.00 or 4.32 per cent. Other items of increase in 1919 were: kindergartens, $121,911.20 or 16.52 per cent; and general county library, $53,472.65 or 18.14 per cent. An increase of $239,022.09 or 41.24 per cent is shown for school buildings miles above the Trabuco schoolhouse, were inspected and tentatively chosen by the supervisors Saturday as possible public camping grounds. The supervisors were accompanied by Forest Supervisor Tillotson for this district. Forest Ranger Stephenson. The amount of taxes levied for all purposes by the counties of California for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, was $65,129,980.47, and the amount levied for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, was $70,874,977.14, an increase of $5,744,966.67 or 8.82 per cent. For the purposes of analysis we have divided this study into three divisions—general county purposes, educational purposes and special district purposes. The analysis brings out many interesting facts. Under the heading of "general county purposes" are included all of the taxes necessary for the general operation of county business, the payment of the salaries of all county officials and employees, the caring for the poor and sick of the county, within and without county institutions, the maintenance and construction of county roads and bridges, all buildings constructed by direct tax, the payment of interest on and the redemption of county debt, the advertising of the county and such other amounts as are necessary for the conduct of the county business. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, a total of $38,407,874.05 was levied for general county purposes, while for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, the amount of these levies was $40,505,880.00. The increase for the year 1919 was $2,098,005.95 or 5.46 per cent. A more detailed analysis of these tax levies for general county purposes brings out the following facts. For expenses and salaries, not including roads, hospitals, bond interest, etc., we find that in 1919 the amount was $25,374,289.89, an increase of $1,569,570.36 or 6.59 per cent. For road and bridge construction In the above figures we find that the largest single item of increase was for special maintenance of high schools, this increase amounting to $811,891.73 or 16.45 per cent. In 1919 the general county levy for high school purposes was increased $153,197.00 or 4.32 per cent. Other items of increase in 1919 were: kindergartens, $121,911.20 or 16.52 per cent; and general county library, $53,472.65 or 18.14 per cent. An increase of $239,022.09 or 41.24 per cent is shown for school buildings. Although this increase in amount is not very large, the percentage of increase, 41.24, is the largest single percentage increase in levies for school purposes. This increase would lead to the opinion that there is a growing desire to build by direct taxation and get away from the cumbersome and costly bond methods in vogue at the present time. Included in special district purposes are the levies for special district roads, fire, levee and flood control, drain and storm water protection, mosquito abatement and other miscellaneous purposes. Increases in the levies for 1919 are shown for special district roads, $571,-543.47 or 140.71 per cent; fire protection, $32,016.01 or 132.18 per cent; levee and flood protection, $41,080.63 or 27.06 per cent; lighting, $17,386.03 or 14.94 per cent; and miscellaneous levies, $314,559.81 or 410.14 per cent. Decreases in the levies for mosquito abatement, $3,919.61 or 8.9 per cent; and drain and storm water, $5,887.46 or 7.68 per cent, were shown in the 1919 levies. PICK CAMPING GROUND Three sites in upper Trabuco canyon near the Holy Jim canyon and six miles above the Trabuco schoolhouse, were inspected and tentatively chosen by the supervisors Saturday as possible public camping grounds. The supervisors were accompanied by Forest Supervisor Tillotson for this district, Forest Ranger Stephenson, and a forest service engineer. All were impressed with the beauty of the location for a camp ground and no doubt one of the sites will be definitely chosen and prepared for use by next year. The cost will probably be in the neighborhood of five or six thousand dollars, and the county and the government will co-operate in establishing the camp. The supervisors have as yet taken no official action toward establishment of the camp ground, and are awaiting estimates of the cost of the work which will be prepared by the government engineer. About six miles of roadway will have to be put in shape before automobiles can reach the campground without trouble, the present road being rough in places. It is felt the Trabuco camp, with its beautiful surroundings, will be most desirable for outings and will help to relieve somewhat the congestion at the county park. AUTO CLUB STOPS THEFT OF CARS Protection from theft is one of the greatest problems confronting the motorists of this section of the state at the present time, because of the immigration of "professional thieves" to Make the SUMMER'S WORK Easier A Message to Women Our modern laundry plant, with all the latest and best machinery and large corps of skilled workers who make their home in Anaheim, is at your disposal and in a position to give the best work and the best service obtainable. Patronize a home concern. Anaheim Laundry Company Phone 18 Building is Brisk Since the government lifted the restrictions on material, and if you are among the many who contemplate putting up a new home or repairing an old one, let us make an estimate for you. We handle everything you will need, and you will find our prices right. Griffith Lumber Company South Los Angeles St. H. M. ADAMS, Mgr. Building is Brisk Since the government lifted the restrictions on material, and if you are among the many who contemplate putting up a new home or repairing an old one, let us make an estimate for you. We handle everything you will need, and you will find our prices right. Griffith Lumber Company South Los Angeles St. H. M. ADAMS, Mgr. Good Place to Buy— G-O-O-D L-U-M-B-E-R C. GANAHL LUMBER COMPANY Anaheim Cal ANAHEIM FEED and FUEL CO. DEALERS IN Wood, Coal, Hay, Grain Seeds and Flour PUBLIC WEIGHING SCALES Phones: Pacific 317, Home 294 R. W. McClellan, W. D. Grafton, Props. CITY CASH MARKET 117 W. Center St. “Quality, Price and Service” Our Motto We handle nothing but the choicest of meats. We deliver. Phone your orders early. Pacific 20 ED. W. SCHNEIDER Proprietor the Pacific coast in the summer. That there is such an immigration is confirmed by a statement issued from the theft bureau of the Automobile Club of Southern California, which was organized for the purpose of recovering stolen cars and apprehending thieves, and announcement now comes from the organization that in order to combat the threatened increase in automobile stealing the club has established its bureau on larger lines. Arrangements have been made so that a dragnet for thieves may be spread from any point in Southern California as far east as Kansas City and as far north as the Canadian boundary. This step was necessary, report club officials, because of the rapid improvement in long motor routes and the facility with which thieves can drive a car from these sections to the far north or to the east. Motorists are asked that every theft of either a machine or accessories be communicated to the nearest club branch office at once, or with the club's headquarters in Los Angeles. Special detectives are ready night and day to "get on the job" and start the wheels turning for the recovery of the property. Another phase of the theft situation is the fact that Southern California has been hailed throughout the east among criminal circles as a happy hunting ground for those who steal machines in the east and then hop out to the Pacific coast to sell them. The Automobile Club of Southern California has now established such relations with eastern authorities as to make a proceeding of this kind practically impossible, and thieves coming west are being "nabbed" almost before they light.