From the Archives: Citrus Greats – Odet Philippe

Odet Philippe, a former surgeon for Napoleon, arrived on the eastern coast of Florida in the early 1800s. Him and his family did not stay here long because they were feuding with the Native Americans already living in the area. So, they decided to leave Florida and set sail for the Caribbean Islands. He landed on the Florida Keys where he met a pirate who told him about Old Tampa Bay and how it was vacant, so he encouraged Phillipe to try again in this region.

Once again, Philippe and his family set sail back to Florida; they settled in present day Safety Harbor and named it St. Helena. He immediately began building his plantation; however, in 1848, a hurricane destroyed part of it. This did not discourage Philippe; he began working to repair the damage and make the entire structure stronger than it previously was.

It is believed that Odet Philippe planted one of the first citrus groves on the west coast of Florida with seeds he brought from the Caribbean. He did many experiments on citrus and the effects of grafting different citrus trees. Grafting is a process used to create the best type of plants. The tissues of two different plants are joined together; this is done to combine the most desirable traits of each plant to create an especially desirable plant. The tissues that are being spliced together start to grow into one another going from two different pieces into one uniform plant. In this case grapefruit was created by grafting an orange with a pomelo. Through these experiments he may have created the grapefruit. In 1892, A. L. Duncan introduced the Duncan grapefruit, which he stated that he got the trees  from Philippe. Today, you can visit the site of Odet Philippe’s plantation and find evidence of his early planting that led to this creation.

 

Odet Philippe was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 1963 https://floridacitrushalloffame.com/inductees/odet-philippe/. 

Written by Tanzy Zviitwah, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Fellow
In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center
Spring 2024

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Sources:

Jie, Ma Wen. “How to Graft Grapefruit Trees.” Garden Guides, September 21, 2017. https://www.gardenguides.com/115127-graft-grapefruit-trees.html.

Mack, Thomas B. Citrifacts II: A Portion of Florida Citrus History. Bartow, Florida: Associated Publications Corporation, 1998.

From the Archives: Citrus Greats - Walter T. Swingle

Similar to any scientific field, early researchers paved the way for the current researchers. This post will acknowledge just one of the many monumental discoveries made in the citrus industry. Starting with Walter T. Swingle, he was a botanist sent to Florida from Washington, D.C. He was originally sent to Florida with the goal of researching the citrus disease plaguing groves at the time. During his time in Florida, he became a part of some of the early research concerning hybrids and hybridization. Swingle is specifically credited with creating the Tangelo, a cross between a tangerine and a pomelo.

Hybridization is a beneficial tool because it allows researchers to combine the most desirable characteristics of two different species to create an entirely new species. This is different from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, because the genes in GMOs have been altered or enhanced while hybridization takes advantage of the natural traits found in each plant species. This can be done by collecting a sample of the DNA found in each species, unwrapping it, and pairing them with one another to create a DNA helix that has one strand from species A and one strand from species B.

Herbert J. Webber worked alongside Swingle to perfect their hybridization techniques. The pair published several papers, books, bulletins, and pamphlets together discussing the research they had conducted and providing growers with helpful information to aid in the efficiency of growing citrus groves. Webber and Leon D. Batchelor then published The Citrus Industry. This book detailed the history of the citrus industry, botany, and methods used to breed citrus. Citrus growers used these books to aid in their growing techniques and to learn more about the citrus industry. Although not mentioned, there are numerous other researchers and scientists who played a fundamental role in the advancements of the Florida Citrus Industry.

Walter T. Swingle was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 1962 as part of the inaugural class: https://floridacitrushalloffame.com/inductees/walter-tennyson-swingle/.

Written by Tanzy Zviitwah, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Fellow
In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center
Spring 2024

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Sources:

Johnson, Alexander. “How Does Plant Hybridization Work?” ScienceOxygen, September 14, 2022. https://scienceoxygen.com/how-does-plant-hybridization-work/.

Mack, Thomas B. Citrifacts II: A Portion of Florida Citrus History. Bartow, Florida: Associated Publications Corporation, 1998.

The 2017 Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees!

Hey Citrus Fans, for those of you who do not know, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inducted three new men. On March 10th, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inducted James H. “Jim” Ellis of Bartow, Florida, T. Ralph Robinson (deceased), and Michael W. Sparks of Apollo Beach, Florida. These three distinguished men all dedicated their lives to helping promote the citrus industry right here in the sunshine state, and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is honored to have these men join the ranks of the many others who have helped to advocate for the citrus industry.

Jim Ellis graduated from Florida Southern College, and while he was a student he was president of the Citrus Club and received the Florida Citrus Mutual Award due to his dedication to the field of citrus. Ellis is currently is in charge of the Citrus License & Bonds in the Division of Fruits & Vegetables for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

T. Ralph Robinson (1876-1967) graduated from Syracuse University and used to live in Syracuse, New York, but moved to Terra Ceia, Florida in 1910. During his life he was president of the Florida State Horticultural Society and he has a biography listed in “American Men of Science” and “Who’s Who.” He also published about 80 papers on horticultural subjects.

Mike Sparks has worked with the citrus industry for much of his life. For 29 years he worked with the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) in several capacities. For the past 10 years he has held the position of Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual in Lakeland, Florida (which happens to be the largest citrus grower trade association in the world) and has helped FCM to start incredible long-term appropriations for pest and disease research. Because of his efforts he has helped secure $125 million in mandatory Farm Bill funding that will benefit the citrus industry greatly.

These men have secured their place in citrus history through their unprecedented commitment to the Florida Citrus Industry. Thanks to their efforts, the Florida Citrus Industry will continue to grow and continue to forward research for advancements in this field of agriculture. From all of us here at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, we welcome Mr. Ellis, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Sparks into the Citrus Hall of Fame family.

Written By: Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Citrus Cosmetics!

Hey Citrus Fans!

It’s no secret that everyone wishes they had healthier, more radiant skin and with cooler temperatures on the horizon, it can often be hard to maintain it. But, did you know that citrus can be used to achieve that glow all year round? Citrus fruits have been known to soften skin, and bring out that youthful glow that everyone is searching for due to the high levels of citric acid the fruit contains.

The acid, which is known to kill bacteria, is often found in high-end cosmetics -- with a hefty price tag attached. But it turns out that you can make many of your own citrus infused lotions and cosmetics at home for a fraction of the cost! A few tips for achieving that perfect oh-so-natural look include: cutting a lemon in half and placing chapped or rough elbows or fingers directly into the fruit for five to ten minutes a day to soften the skin and keep the damage from returning. Another useful tip (that I personally have tried and liked) is to soak a cotton ball with lemon juice twice a day and apply the cotton-ball anywhere that you may have discoloration in the skin due to age or sun exposure. In about six weeks, you will likely see that the spots have faded or are completely gone.

Citrus is not just for skin care, though. The properties that make it so useful on the skin also make it very effective in your hair. Grapefruit is particularly good for your hair. If you would like to try and jump on the citrus-cosmetic bandwagon, might I suggest this cheap alternative to styling gel (which can have many harsh chemicals and dyes) which can be found Mother Earth Living.

Everyone knows that citrus fruits are good for their insides, but not everyone knows how amazing they can be for their outsides. If you decide to give citrus cosmetics a try, send us a message about how well they worked for you (or recipes you liked) in the comments section, or on our Facebook Page (The Citrus Hall of Fame).

Thank you!

Works Cited

Publications, Inc. Ogden. "Body & Soul: Pink Grapefruit Styling Gel for Extra Body - Heal - Herb Companion." Mother Earth Living. N.p., 27 June 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

Written by Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Want to Boost your Brain Power?

Hey Citrus Fans!

With classes starting up, many students (and professors) are looking for ways to improve their cognitive abilities, while also keeping away that dreaded “freshman fifteen.” Well, the answer is surprisingly simple. Studies have shown that drinking 500ml (roughly a pint) of orange juice a day can drastically improve memory, and help maintain a healthy weight. This is likely due to flavonoids, which are chemicals found in abundance in fresh oranges and other citrus fruits. According to Ben Spencer, author of the article Could Orange Juice Boost Brain Power?, “Scientists are not exactly sure how this works, but they suspect the chemicals (flavonoids) may improve blood flow, protect neurons against oxidative damage and increase the efficiency with which neurons transmit signals.” In layman's terms, flavonoids improve your memory, improve your comprehension of information, and do all kinds of good things that keep your body running normally.

This has been documented in a study that shows that this is especially true in older men and women who may be lacking flavonoids in their diets. Aside from oranges, blueberries, blackberries, apples, prunes, strawberries, grapes, peppers, and celery are all found to be packed with flavonoids. Therefore, adding a few more glasses of delicious Florida orange juice to your diet, or another basket of blueberries to your shopping cart might be just the thing you need to ensure that you start this semester with bright eyes and a healthy mind.

Works Cited:

Olson, Samantha. "Fruits And Vegetables With High Levels Of Flavonoids May Prevent Weight Gain." Medical Daily. N.p., 28 Jan. 2016. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.

Spencer, Ben. "Could Pure Orange Juice Boost Brain Power?" Dailymail.uk. Dailymail, 15 May 2015. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.

Written by Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

See You Later, Citrus

            A year and a half have passed since I first started with the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame here at the Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center. Though I can hardly believe it, with graduation arriving soon, my time here is coming to an end. Thankfully, I will be leaving with many experiences to look back on, as well as newly acquired skills on which I can now rely.

            Looking back, I’m amazed at the many projects and collections I have worked on since starting here. I have researched and written articles and blog posts on several topics, such as the inductees, special events, and crate labels. I have also scanned, inventoried, and archived many historical photographs and documents on the Florida Citrus Industry from different collections, like the Jerry Chicone Crate Label Collection and Anthony Whiting Crate Label Collection. In addition, I had the opportunity to present my paper on the Florida Citrus Queens/Miss Florida Citrus at the Florida Conference of Historians. Oh, and I can’t forget the chance I got every day to share on social media the many interesting facts, articles, and photographs I found related to the citrus industry for others to see and be informed.

            As a plus, I had the chance to attend quite a few exciting events too, such as the Florida Citrus Queen/Miss Florida Citrus reunion at Bok Tower Gardens and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductee Ceremony here at Florida Southern College, both of which gave me the opportunity to meet many interesting people in the Florida Citrus Industry. 

            Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to research, work with, and create digital and physical exhibits for the archives on varying topics with my fellow citrus coworkers. These topics include citrus workers, citrus memorabilia, the Orange Bird, the Florida Citrus Queens/Miss Florida Citrus, citrus crate labels, citrus postcards, the Waverly collection, packinghouses, and the Thomas B. Mack Citrus Archives Collection. These exhibits will hopefully be up in time for next semester. 

            My time here has been one long learning experience. I will never forget the history I have become so fond of, the people I have met, and the memories I have made during my time here. I am so grateful to all of the people who have been involved with my job as well. The friendships I have made here and the research, communication, organizational, and writing skills I have acquired here will stay with me as I continue on to whatever career path is in store for me. 

            However, though I am saying goodbye to my job, I am not saying goodbye to citrus. Like I said in my very first blog post when I started working here, each time I even drink my orange juice, “I’ll be thinking about the history behind it and all of the people involved.”

So see you later, citrus. I will never see you the same way again.

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

The Search for New Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees

How exciting! The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is on the lookout for potential inductee nominations, with a scheduled inductee ceremony already in place for Friday, March 11, 2016 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, cosponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Department of Citrus.

In case you are wondering who is eligible, the Hall of Fame looks for nominees who have made an impact to the Florida Citrus Industry in fields such as harvesting, packing, processing, marketing, scientific and/or educational areas. To see an example, you can visit the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website to find information and videos on past inductees, such as last year’s inductees, Nicholas “Nick” D. Faryna, Sherwood J. “Buddy” Johnson, and John C. Updike, Sr.

If you have someone you think should be nominated, here is what you need to do:

Nomination forms can be found at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website and must be sent in no later than November 1^st, 2015. Any later submissions will be considered for the following year. All nominations need to include the following: a full summary of the nominee’s accomplishments, letters of support from industry members, and a photograph. Completed applications can either be emailed to Executive Director, Brenda Eubanks Burnette at bburne1003@aol.com or sent as hard copies to Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, 411 East Orange Street, Lakeland, FL 33801.

For more information, please contact either John Jackson at jackson71344@yahoo.com or Brenda Eubanks Burnette at (561) 351-4314 or bburne1003@aol.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Reflections on the 2015 Inductee Ceremony

                With a small smile on his face, Sherwood J. “Buddy” Johnson proudly accepted his plaque signifying his acceptance into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame at their luncheon last Friday, March 6^th. Family, friends, and other citrus industry participants applauded, celebrating alongside him. It was a magnificent honor and Johnson made sure to let his audience know how grateful he was for it.

                Johnson was not the only one inducted. There were also Nicholas “Nick” D. Faryna and John C. Updike, Sr., who were inducted posthumously. Their children accepted their awards for them, glad to have others acknowledge the impact their fathers had on the citrus industry.

                It was a wonderful experience to take part with this celebration. Through videos about their lives and speeches made, it was amazing to see the involvement that these inductees had with the citrus industry. According to the 2015 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Citrus Celebration program, Faryna experimented on ways to use water during a freeze to protect citrus crops, which ended up being implemented in many northern groves. Updike created the “dairy pack concept of frozen orange concentrate.”And Johnson was one of the first packers that moved into the computer age with his grading line. All three inductees clearly deserved recognition and it was wonderful to see them get it.

                It was also so sweet to see Faryna and Updike’s adult children go up to the microphone and speak warmly and nostalgically about their fathers. In addition, it was nice to see Johnson go up and personally thank everyone. I had no idea the diligence, time, and work that needed to be invested in the citrus industry to run groves, packinghouses, gift fruit businesses, and more. By the end of it all, I was glad to see these inductees commemorated for their contributions to the citrus industry.

                Before I attended the inductee ceremony, I never really understood what the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was all about. According to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website, “The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was established in 1962 to pay tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Florida citrus industry.” I had read this description, but I did not understand it until I went to the inductee ceremony and saw the award accepted with immense gratitude. There are so many people involved in the citrus industry, having to constantly think of innovative ways to work through freezes, financial issues, and other obstacles. It is not an easy job, but those who fulfill it deserve to be commemorated.

                I am glad I was able to witness such a celebratory event. It inspired me to work diligently in my own life; perhaps someday I might have family members that are proud enough to want to share my accomplishments with the world. However, in order to have accomplishments worth celebrating, like these three inductees, I learnt there is one important action I need to take to heart: perseverance.

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center