anaheim-gazette 1940-12-12

Origination and Development of Citrus Industry in County Traced By Author Bringing of First Trees to California Told, Along with Battle over Selection of Name, Hart's Tardiff or Valencia Lates BY CHARLES C. CHAPMAN California has improved, standardized and popularized the two best known varieties of the orange. Today the Washington Navel and the Valencia are recognized as the most delicious and profitable citrus fruits grown. Attempts have been made to introduce other varieties, but so far, without success. These two varieties possess the very qualities essential to make the growing of citrus fruits commercially profitable. The trees seem well adapted to our climate. They are consistent bearers when properly cared for, and produce both quality and quantity of fruit of desirable size and sufficiently hardy to be readily marketed. These varieties have not only popularized Southern California as an ideal orange district, but have proven profitable to thousands of growers and have done much to increase the wealth of the Golden State. While it may not be necessary, or perhaps good taste for me to state which of the two varieties is the better, yet is I am requested to write about the Valencia, and thus to give my opinion as to its relative value with other varieties, and also as I am often referred to as the "father" of the Valencia industry. I am constrained to state be adopted. Those growers favoring the latter name finally prevailed, with the result that in a few years' the word "lates" was gradually dropped, the simple word "Valencia" being the commonly used and accepted name for what many people consider the best orange grown. When the Valencia was trying to gain recognition during its early history in California, I noted its fine qualities as an orange and some of the advantages of its culture, and heartily advocated its development. I made many speeches over Southern California at state horticultural conventions, farmers' institutes, and meetings of Orange growers and other organizations, always stressing the advantages of the Valencia orange and pointing out the weaknesses of other varieties. At one meeting about 1898 I spoke rather disparagingly of the Golden Apple of the ancien When I came to Orange oak in 1894, there were a few untable Valencia orchards here among these I secured prothe largest acreage of this var What was expected to be a larar and profitable variety to offer of the enterprising orchard who introduced it here proved a disappointment. Fruit did not compare favored Mediterranean Sw in the estimation of fruit hard or even local consumers. Navel at that time, was the larari variety and everyone whither putting out an orchard buying one wanted that var. Very naturally those who more about the business they did, looked upon me as very which I certainly was. thought I had a white elephant my hands. When I secured present home ranch, it was left to Valencias. I began to the worst when I attempted market the fruit. None or buyers seemed at all interested in it. However, after learning more about the fruit, and more its excellent eating quality also that it had rare quality keeper both on and off the tree I began to realize that I really gotten a superior oran this not through any forethought. have proven profitable to thousands of growers and have done much to increase the wealth of the Golden State. While it may not be necessary, or perhaps good taste for me to state which of the two varieties is the better, yet is I am requested to write about the Valencia, and thus to give my opinion as to its relative value with other varieties, and also as I am often referred to as the "father" of the Valencia industry, I am constrained to state that I regard the Valencia as the superior. This is unquestionably so in Orange county, which seems to be especially adapted to the culture of the Valencia. I would not claim that this is the only district where this variety is grown to as high a state of perfection as it is here, but this district does seem to be ideal in many respects for its culture. This is also reflected in the marketing of the fruit, as Valencias from Orange county usually bring a little higher prices than those from other sections. At least, this fruit has the preference with the trade. Since the Valencia Orange was introduced in California some 58 years ago, it has risen to great prominence and is now generally recognized as the foremost orange grown anywhere in the world. Its developed in both acreage and culture has been phenomenal, and today it is the variety commonly set out in new groves by progressive citrus growers. The variety now known as the Valencia orange was first noted in England, having been taken there from the Azores by a leading nurseryman early in the second half of the nineteenth century. For several years he carefully nurtured his few tender stocks, keeping them in a specially constructed glass house. He called them by the name Excelsior. In the year 1870 some of these trees were brought to Long Island, where they were also kept in a hothouse. Realizing that this orange demanded a warm sunny climate similar to that of its original home in the Azores, a Mr. Parson took a few of the trees from Long Island to Florida. Here they were planted and propagated by a Mr. Hart, receiving their new name, Hart's Tardiff, from him. Several years of experiments with these trees, however, yielded little result in improving the quality of the orange, although considerable its fine qualities as an orange and some of the advantages of its culture, and heartily advocated its development. I made many speeches over Southern California at state horticultural conventions, farmers' institutes, and meetings of Orange growers and other organizations, always stressing the advantages of the Valencia orange and pointing out the weaknesses of other varieties. At one meeting about 1898 I spoke rather disparagingly of the Thompson Navel. This Navel, like the Ben Davis apple, has a fine appearance, but lacks quality. I predicted no future for this orange, and my prophecy has come true, for it is not today recognized as a desirable orange. I pointed out that this variety of orange was "raggy," was a poor keeper, puffed early in the season, and the juice easily dried up, even while the orange still hung on the tree. I dwelt at length upon these disadvantages as compared to the values of the Valencia. After the meeting I was informed that Mr. Thompson, an old Scotchman, and the propagator of the Thompson Navel, had been present and was sitting in the front row. Imagine my embarrassment upon hearing this. I afterward talked to Mr. Thompson, who quickly dismissed the incident, thinking I was a young upstart from the East who did not know anything about oranges or orange growing. The many fine qualities of the Valencia orange commend it to all the people either growing, handling or eating it. In fact, of all the commercial varieties of oranges grown today in all parts of the world, the Valencia is the most satisfactory and profitable to both grower and retailer. The Valencia is the best keeping orange grown, both on the tree and after it has been picked. It can be held on the tree for six months after its majority without any deterioration in quality. In the more interior sections of California, if it is kept on the tree too long, it occasionally turns to a greenish color around the stem end. But this change in color causes no loss in any of the excellent qualities of either the juice or the flavor of the orange. Its wonderful keeping quality on the tree thus gives the Valencia a long marketing season, making it a great favorite with growers. The Valencia also has rare keeping qualities after it has been my hands. When I secured present home ranch, it was less set to Valencias. I began to take care of my worst when I attempted market the fruit. None of buyers seemed at all interested in it. However, after learning more about the fruit, and more its excellent eating quality than that it had rare quality, I also that it had rare quality; keeper both on and off the tree. I began to realize that I really gotten a superior orange this not through any forethought or expert knowledge of my own but rather my piece of good tune. However, it was up to me to so pularize the Valencia dealers and consumers would it. This at first was most disgaging. There was little demand for a late orange in Eastern market. Up to July there was a good market for orange, but after that practice none. Neither dealers or customers were accustomed to have orange after that time. I had shipped Navels and St. Michaels to a firm in Lima, Ohio, and wrote them that I had some good oranges that I would like ship after that time. I received following laconic reply wire: "We could not sell these boxes in three weeks." I similar difficulty in introducing in the New York market as a orange. Jobbers and retailers included that no orange could profitably handled during the summer. The loss from delivery would be too great. Besides this market was well supplied deciduous fruits. I prevailed upon some of more enterprising dealers to try the new orange, which I assisted them, was a good keeper. The experiment was wholly satisfactory. They suffered no loss in decay, as they had done with other varieties. This one Realizing that this orange demanded a warm sunny climate similar to that of its original home in the Azores, a Mr. Parson took a few of the trees from Long Island to Florida. Here they were planted and propagated by a Mr. Hart, receiving their new name, Hart's Tardiff, from him. Several years of experiments with these trees, however, yielded little result in improving the quality of the orange, although considerable acreage was set out. There was soon a rather large number of trees of this variety in Florida. About this time A. B. Chapman of Lamanda Park, California, went to Florida for some nursery stock and unintentionally purchased some Valencias, which he set out on his ranch. As he had no knowledge of this new kind of orange, which had hitherto not reached the Pacific coast, he supposed that he was getting the navel orange that had become popular in California. But after receiving the trees, he soon discovered that a mistake had been made by someone and that he possessed a variety of orange unknown to California. However, he accepted his fate, not attempting to rectify the error. Although he knew the trees were not navels, he did not know their correct name, and upon the suggestion of a Spanish employee, gave them the name of Valencia Lates, after a Province of Old Spain. About the year 1880, a decade after their first introduction in the United States, buds from these Valencia trees were taken into Orange county. The fame of this small county has now spread so widely, and its connection with the Valencia orange has been so close, that Orange county is now the recognized home of the Valencia orange. In an early day there was considerable discussion among orange growers of both California and Florida as to which name, Hart's Tardiff or Valencia Lates, should the more interior sections of California, if it is kept on the tree too long, it occasionally turns to a greenish color around the stem end. But this change in color causes no loss in any of the excellent qualities of either the juice or the flavor of the orange. Its wonderful keeping quality on the tree thus gives the Valencia a long marketing season, making it a great favorite with growers. The Valencia also has rare keeping qualities after it has been taken from the tree. With ordinary care in picking and packing, it will keep for many weeks. In fact, it has a tendency to shivel and the rind to toughen rather than decay. With some of the more tender varieties of oranges, the loss from decay is serious and makes their handling hazardous for both the grower and the retailer. But the fine keeping qualities of the Valencia after it has been picked have made it a particular favorite with retailers. The marketing season of the Valencia is very long in comparison to other varieties, for it extends from April to November. This season includes the warm summer months, when as a luscious fruit it is both attractive and wholesome. Another characteristic of the Valencia that has made it extremely popular during the last few years is the abundance of rich juice it contains. The drinking of orange juice is today becoming a habit with many people, and no variety will yield so much rich, invigorating juice as the Valencia. This quality has done much to make this orange known throughout the world. The culture of all varieties of the orange, including the Valencia, Navel, Malta Blood, Ruby Blood, St. Michael, Seedling and Thmopson Navel, has extended to many sections of California. And the orange is today regarded as a necessity and no longer as a mere luxury. It may well be termed... ANAHEIM GAZETTE of Citrus By Authority Golden Apple of the ancients. When I came to Orange county in 1894, there were a few unprofitable Valencia orchards here and along these I secured probably the largest acreage of this variety. That was expected to be a popu- and profitable variety to a few of the enterprising orchardists who introduced it here soon. I loved a disappointment. The fact did not compare favorably with the Navel, or even the less honored Mediterranean Sweets, the estimation of fruit handlers even local consumers. The level at that time, was the popu-variety and everyone who was ever putting out an orchard or buying one wanted that variety. Every naturally those who knew me about the business than I looked upon me as verdant, which I certainly was. They taught I had a white elephant on my hands. When I secured my present home ranch, it was largely to Valencias. I began to fear the worst when I attempted to market the fruit. None of the others seemed at all interested in it. However, after learning more about the fruit, and noting excellent eating quality and that it had rare quality as a beer both on and off the tree, began to realize that I had gotten a superior orange,—not through any forethought. Original Methodist Church The above photograph shows the first Methodist church to be constructed in Anaheim. It was built on South Philadelphia street, near Center street, and was constructed during the pastorate of Rev. D. O. Chamberlayne. The pastor did much of the work himself, using a planing mill given by T. S. Grimshaw. Chamber of Commerce Prospectus of 40 Years Ago Interesting Today The following prospectus about the city of Anaheim was issued by the Chamber of Commerce shortly after the turn of the century. Roads are level, well graded and well kept, affording excellent opportunities for cycling and driving. Chamber of Commerce Prospectus of 40 Years Ago Interesting Today The following prospectus about the city of Anaheim was issued by the Chamber of Commerce shortly after the turn of the century: The city of Anaheim, with a population of 2,500, is situated in the northern part of Orange county, in southern California, 12 miles from the ocean, 4½ miles from the foothills and 148½ feet above sea level. It is 27 miles from Los Angeles, the second largest city in the state of California. The climatic conditions are the most favorable for outdoor life to be found in southern California. The temperature is extremely uniform, seldom rising above 90 degrees in summer or falling below 32 degrees in winter. The abundance of sunlight and the absence of sharp frosts and cold winds make it a place especially acceptable to those who desire to escape the severe climate of the East. The country is very attractive. It is practically level, with just sufficient slope from the hills to afford adequate drainage. The quality of the Valencia appealed to the trade and dealers, no longer fearing loss began to buy it. Within a few years the Valencia began to grow in popularity, and as previously stated, is now the most popular orange grown in southern California, and I believe I am fully justified in saying, in the whole world. roadss are level, well graded and well kept, affording excellent opportunities for cycling and driving. The soil is rich sandy loan which never bakes, making it a very easy ground to work; thus lending itself readily to the cultivation of berries, nuts; oranges, etc. The variety of products, and the possibility of procuring small tracts of land at low figures, and on easy terms, make our section of the country very attractive and advantageous for truck raising, or for farming on a small scale.. The following are a few of the products: oranges, lemons, walnuts, grapes, peaches, apricots, sugar beets, berries and vegetables of all kinds. Anaheim is the possessor of a Building and Loan Association, Water company, two railroads, fruit cannery and drier, large oil industry, ostrich farm, bank and several adequate commercial houses, hospital, two hotels and two newspapers. The city also owns its water and lighting plant. There are nine fraternal organizations, including Masons and Odd Fellows; seven churches, embracing the principal denominations; a free public library and a fine grammar and high school. For further particulars address Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim, Orange county, California. All inquiries will be answered with pleasure. Want Ads 25c, 3 lines, 1 time. ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS KATE E. McCULLAH, Director — Features An outstanding boy’s department with music modeled to his educational needs and an active place in his home, his club, his school and his church. ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS KATE E. McCULLAH, Director — Features An outstanding boy’s department with music modeled to his educational needs and an active place in his home, his club, his school and his church. CURSERY SCHOOL—Where the pre-school child develops initiative, purpose, ability to meet situations and to assume responsibilities in his level; at the same time he is learning to work with others, sharing materials and ideas, making adjustments. THE SCHOOL also specializes in GIRLS’ CLASSES in piano technique, sight reading, repertoire and poise in public playing. THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT under Mrs. Lois Rees Auer stresses diction, interpretation and repertoire in private lessons and diction classes for adults. THE ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS announces the opening of a new department in popular piano, playing under Katherine McCullah. Enroll now for class or private instruction. Anaheim Merchants Association Has Long Record of Usefulness Formed in 1923 as a division of the Chamber of Commerce, the Anaheim Merchants and Manufacturers association has functioned continuously and successfully in fostering co-operation among business people, co-ordinating efforts to promote business and making an active part in all movements for civic betterment. Regular breakfast meetings of the organization are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month, at which sales events are arranged and matters pertinent to business development discussed. Perhaps the most outstanding undertaking of the association is the staging of Anaheim's annual Hallowe'en festival and parade, inaugurated in 1924 as the Merchants Hallowe’en masquerade party this event has developed into one of southern California’s major celebrations. This year a crowd of approximately 75,000 viewed the night parade. Street decorations for the Christmas season and the annual visits of Santa Claus are arranged by the association. O. E. Hanson is president this year, and the board of directors is composed of Dr. J. Niels Boege, vice president; H. E. W. Barnes, Everett M. Cone, L. C. Herron, L. H. Hoskins, J. Ben Kaulbars; August E. Schumacher and W. W. Phelps. There is no outward sign of true courtesy that does not rest on a deep moral foundation.—Goethe. Failure of Citizens Bank Here Recalled The Anaheim Citizens bank when first organized was located in a building on West Center street, near Los Angeles street. The late Plez James was president and George Hoar Cashier. The bank was forced to close its doors owing to the fact that some of the securities could not be converted into ready cash. A meeting of depositors was called and James was granted 60 days' time to call in the money loaned. He failed to secure the money and the bank was closed. Had he asked for a longer time he would have weathered the storm. James had the confidence of the people. However, he was ruined financially. Arturo Godoy was Chilean 100-meter swimming champion in 1930 before he turned to boxing. California Orange Juice Lemon Juice Desert Grapefruit Juice MANUFACTURE OUR CITRA-GOLD Brand 100% pure orange juice is packed from the best obtainable tree-ripened fruit. The same is true of our CITRA-GOLD Lemon and CITRA-GOLD Grapefruit juices. This juice is gently reamed, strained, deaerated and vacuum sealed in special enamel lined cans within two minutes after it has been cut and reamed. It is then quickly pasteurized in the can and rapidly cooled, which results in a juice with natural flavor, free from the bitter rind oils and with the vitamin content and natural minerals being retained. HEALTH VALUE ORANGE JUICE is an excellent source of vitamin C available to human needs. Vitamin C aids in preventing teeth decay and plenty of orange juice should be fed to children. Vitamin C maintains the health and strength in the walls of the blood capillaries and thus protects the heart, liver, kidneys and digestive tract from deterioration and decay. Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, E, and G and in addition it furnishes alkaline ash in the system as well as providing fruit sugars. The regular use of citrus fruit juices, whether fresh or canned aids in the prevention of constipation, nervousness and headaches, as well as increasing the length of life and the general vigor by maintaining capillary health. use of citrus fruit juices, whether fresh or canned aids in the prevention of constipation, nervousness and headaches, as well as increasing the length of life and the general vigor by maintaining capillary health. CITRA-GOLD BRAND Orangeade Base Made of pure concentrated valencia orange juice and concentrated lemon juice. 5 3/4 OUNCES will make one quart and six ounces of delicious and refreshing Orangeade. Grape Punch Base Made of concentrated concord grape juice, sugar, water, fruit acid and imitation grape flavor 5 3/4 OUNCES will make one quart and four ounces of delicious grape flavored punch. A 5¾ OUNCE CAN OBTAINABLE AT YOUR GROCERS for ..... 10¢ Citra-Gold Brand Products are manufactured by E. A. Silzle Corp. Anaheim, California And are offered for sale by Leading Grocers Everywhere ASK FOR CITRA-GOLD