Citrus Leaves Magazine

Title: Citrus Leaves Magazine

Dates: 1953-1956 and undated.

Collection Number: 2021.001T

Creator/Collector: Arthur Gregory Citrus Leaves Magazine Mutual Orange Distributors

Extent: 0.8 linear feet (2 boxes)

Repository: Claremont Heritage

Abstract: The Citrus Leaves Magazine Collection contains materials related to Southern California’s citrus history. This collection has been sorted into two series; Magazines and Ephemera (shipping inventory).

Language of Material: English

The collection is open for research use.

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder (if applicable).

[Identification of item]. Citrus Leaves Magazine. Collection Number: 2021.001T. Claremont Heritage

Arthur Gregory (1869-1954) founded Mutual Orange Distributors in 1906, a grower association that promised to provide quality products and business for its partnering growers, packing houses and customers. From 1921-1957, Mutual Orange Distributors published Citrus Leaves, a magazine service with a primary focus on lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and the occasional avocado. These magazines, 76 volumes in total, functioned as a farmer’s almanac where productivity, advancements in practices, warnings and general news on agriculture and citrus related events (globally) were shared for the benefit of Southern California’s citrus communities. The collection’s ephemera provides a snippet of shipping and distributing information on Mutual Orange Distributors during the fiscal year of 1948-49.

The collection contains 76 volumes and two items of ephemera. The materials located in this collection reside in two series: Magazines and Ephemera. Of the magazines available, focus is given to the day-to-day activities of the citrus community. As such, the magazine subscription presents itself as a farmer’s almanac, in that it discloses growers’ concerns and solutions. In addition, these magazines focus on community engagement through their monthly Mutual Orange Distributors reports, advertising of local shops, festivals, recipes (sometimes with a sole focus on avocados, as seen in their Avocado Almanac) and even celebrity appearances. Citrus Leaves incorporates relevant domestic and international agricultural news, allowing for a competitive understanding of the global citrus marketplace while at the same time highlighting the value of Southern California’s Citrus industry on the regional, domestic, and international levels. The collection’s sparsity is its greatest shortcoming as made evident by its extent: 1938, 1941, 1948-1956. This does not negate the collection’s importance as its almanac theme keeps the researcher informed of the then recent advancements and amendments in agricultural practices. Of the ephemera available, there are two items from Mutual Orange Distributors that discuss shipping plans and coordination. Its extensive list of distributors and shipping estimates provide insight into Mutual Orange Distributors’ 1948-49 fiscal year. Cumulatively, this collection provides a community’s perspective on the citrus history of Southern California.