Citrus Par Excellence by Paul L. Rumpsa (1930)
Citrus Par Excellence is a twelve-page promotional brochure, horticultural statement, and commercial price list published in 1930 by Avon Park citrus grower and packer Paul L. Rumpsa.[fm-rumpsa-1930] Printed by the Drew Press in Jacksonville (imprint job number 811018), the publication details an independent, direct-to-consumer marketing model that stood in sharp contrast to the cooperative and corporate carlot shipping operations dominant in Depression-era Florida.[fm-rumpsa-1930][maxwell-1976] Rumpsa maintained his horticultural standing for decades, listed as an active member in the proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society through the 1950s.[fshs-1951]
The original booklet is preserved in the Federal Documents Collection of the State Library of Florida (call number Fla 634.3 R937, item flc_634.3-r937_01).[fm-rumpsa-1930]
Front Cover
The cover features a polychrome lithographic design depicting a diamond-shaped vignette of bathers and a sailboat on a palm-fringed inland lake (evoking Lake Verona at Avon Park), framed by orange blossoms, mature citrus fruit, holly, and red poinsettias.[fm-rumpsa-1930]
CITRUS
PAR EXCELLENCE
PAUL L. RUMPSA
GROWER AND PACKER
AVON PARK, FLORIDATranscription of Text
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(Blank)
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CITRUS CULTURE
The growing of fine citrus fruits is an accomplishment, very intricate, most interesting, requiring as much care and attention as the most delicate manipulations of other lines of endeavor.
The successful grower must have, and must derive pleasure in exercising the requisites of, good judgment, skill, care, watchfulness, and patience. Citrus products have the faculty of expressing in their character and quality, the wisdom and care of the producer.
My Grove
The best methods, and all essentials for production of quality fruit, have always been followed and provided in my grove. Have gone much farther than the average grower, in matters of fertilizer, the food supply of tree and fruit, by using only the choicest and most beneficial materials, compounded to my exclusive formulas, regardless of greater costs. The food supply constitutes 60 per cent of the factors entering into good fruit production.
Page 4
Marketing
All grower efforts can be spoiled by the contributing factors in handling and marketing by others. Fruit may be cut or bruised by careless pickers; similarly damaged in trucking to packing houses; keeping qualities impaired by extremes of heat in practice of artificial coloring done by some packers. Refrigeration in freight cars very often impairs fruit in sundry ways.
To eliminate above hazards, have provided my own method of handling and marketing my products, namely, through my own packing house and via fast express to the consumer.
My Method
When an order reaches me, an experienced and careful picker selects from the trees, the kind of fruit and quantity ordered. This fruit is carefully washed, dried, tissue-wrapped, then placed into boxes in such manner as to withstand ordinary rough handling in transportation. All orders are filled and leave by fast express the same day.
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This method insures my fruit reaching consumer in quickest possible time, colored by nature, with full flavor and juice content, and with keeping qualities unimpaired. This explains why my fruit is better, is more wholesome and enjoyable, also why it keeps longer than the commercial variety.
Features of My Service
Supply of certain grapefruit and oranges not duplicated by others. Packing of two, three, or four varieties in one box; cannot be done as economically by other packers.
My special mobile facilities are built to serve individual requirements: the massive units necessary to supply carlot needs of dealers are too large and complicated to serve the individual efficiently.
My service is based on pleasing the consumer with good fruit, in lots of whole, half or quarter-size boxes. This differs greatly from service based on profitable disposition to the dealers in carlots.
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Gift Orders
Special attention is given to gift orders, as they carry a double responsibility—that of pleasing both donor and recipient. Cards furnished are enclosed with shipments, or will furnish the cards to suit season or occasion, with donor’s name at no extra cost. Sprigs of kumquats, mistletoe, loquat leaves, are used for decorating tops of boxes intended for Christmas delivery, gratis.
Special Orders
Occasionally orders reach me to supply fruit for special purposes, such as gifts to officials in political or professional circles, for exhibits, or relative occasions, where only expert selected fruit, especially nicely prepared and packed is most essential, the monetary consideration secondary.
This service is at disposal of my customers, at a slight, extra cost, and includes engraved cards in keeping with the general idea. Charge is shown opposite Special U. S. Fancy Grade, on price list.
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Carrier Responsibility
Express carriers appreciate the direct service, and provide the necessary facilities and co-operation for its success. Good care for my shipments is evident by my record of the past seven years. Ratio is only one shipment damaged, frozen or lost out of 994 to reach destinations safely.
In event of loss or damage, another shipment is made promptly, or money refunded, and claim handled by me.
Varieties and Their Season
Season of maturity, or when any variety is at its best, varies somewhat each year, dependent upon weather conditions. As a rule, early varieties mature about December 1st, mid-season varieties about January 10th, late varieties about February 20th.
Grapefruit
Silver Cluster, Excelsior, Marsh Seedless: Season December 1st till late April. Trees more than thirty years old have the experience in making of fruit…
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…unsurpassed in flavor and juice content. Marsh Seedless is shipped during last part of season, when at its best. Characteristics same as Excelsior, except of few or no seeds.
Oranges
Navel, Seedling, Pineapple, Homosassa, Mediterranean Sweet: Season December 1st till late February. Any variety at its best is used to fill orders during this time. All are juicy, of excellent flavor and sweetness, when picked at right time. The Valencia Orange, in season late February till May, has the characteristics mentioned above, plus few or no seeds.
Temple Orange
Hybrid of unknown origin. Season about December 15th to February 1st. Difficult to grow, unsurpassed when right. Form oblate, color reddish or russet. Flesh melting, free from rag. Flavor unique, rich and spicy. Supply limited.
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King Orange
King of Siam: Season late February and March. Form oblate, rough skin, easy peeling. Abundant juice, pulp melting, flavor agreeable, sprightly and excellent quality. Supply limited.
Tangerines
Dancy: Season December and January. Reddish color, thin skin, easy peeling, juicy and of sprightly flavor.
Tangelo
Sampson: Hybrid of tangerine and pomelo. Season about December 15th to February 15th. Pure yellow color, thin skin, juice abundant, flavor rich and delicate sub-acid. Favored as breakfast food by many in preference to grapefruit. Excellent for salads and cocktails. Supply limited.
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Kumquat
Nagami, Marumi: Season December to March. Decorative fruit, contains much pectin, easy for preserves, marmalades or jellies. Skin is not removed in eating raw. The aromatic rind and acid pulp make a delightful combination.
Throughout season, when desired, kumquats with sprigs, to dress top of pack, included without extra charge.
Recipe for Kumquat Preserves
Take four parts sugar and three parts water; place in preserving kettle and boil for five minutes; place kumquats in the boiling syrup and boil briskly for an hour and a half. Do not allow it to simmer or the rinds will become tough. Remove from the fire and seal at once. A pint of fruit, two cupfuls of sugar and a cupful and a half of water make about a quart.
(Kumquat Marmalade and Candy Recipes supplied on request.)
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PRICES
On the page following is a list of products, the preferred packs, and their prices, express charges prepaid, to city or zone to which this list is mailed.
Changes, such as more of one kind than another, cheerfully made at prices nearest listed.
Right to change or withdraw prices is reserved, as crop is subject to elements beyond grower’s control. In event of unfavorable conditions, money is promptly refunded.
Order blanks accompany price list, but are not essential. Letter, or own form, receives same attention.
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Season 1930–1931 Price Schedule
| Product / Variety | One Box (80 lbs. or more) | Half Box (40 lbs. or more) | Quarter Box (20 lbs. or more) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Seasonable Grapefruit | $6.75 | $3.50 | — |
| Best Seasonable Oranges | $7.75 | $4.00 | $2.25 |
| Mixed, half each, Oranges and Grapefruit | $7.25 | $3.75 | $2.00 |
| Tangerines | — | $4.75 | $2.50 |
| Temple Oranges | — | $5.25 | $2.75 |
| Tangelos | — | $5.25 | $2.75 |
| King Oranges | — | $5.25 | $2.75 |
| Kumquats | — | — | $2.75 |
| Assorted Fruit, enough of each, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, or fancy fruit in season | $8.00 | $4.25 | $2.25 |
| For Special U. S. Fancy Grade Fruit and Special Pack, add extra | $1.25 | $0.75 | $0.50 |
Colophon at bottom of Page 12:
DREW, JACKSONVILLE, 811018
References
- fm-rumpsa-1930 — Paul L. Rumpsa; printed by Drew Press (Jacksonville, Fla.). Citrus Par Excellence by Paul L. Rumpsa, 1930 (State Library of Florida, Federal Documents Collection, call number Fla 634.3 R937, item flc_634.3-r937_01). 1930. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/341520
- fshs-1951 — Florida State Horticultural Society. Membership Roster, Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, Sixty-Fourth Annual Meeting (1951), page 298. 1 November 1951. https://journals.flvc.org/fshs/article/view/83543
- maxwell-1976 — Leoma Bradshaw Maxwell. The First Hundred Years of Avon Park, Florida. 1976. the-first-hundred-years-of-avon-park_leoma-bradshaw-maxwell_1976.md
Where this comes from
- Evidence
- corroborated — More than one independent source agrees.
- Review
- unverified — Drafted from sources but not yet checked by a volunteer.
- Rights
- society
Sources
- Paul L. Rumpsa; printed by Drew Press (Jacksonville, Fla.), Citrus Par Excellence by Paul L. Rumpsa, 1930 (State Library of Florida, Federal Documents Collection, call number Fla 634.3 R937, item flc_634.3-r937_01) (1930)
- Florida State Horticultural Society, Membership Roster, Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, Sixty-Fourth Annual Meeting (1951), page 298 (1951)
- Leoma Bradshaw Maxwell, The First Hundred Years of Avon Park, Florida (references/the-first-hundred-years-of-avon-park_leoma-bradshaw-maxwell_1976.md) (1976)
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