Northern California, including parts of the foothills, proved ideal for citrus growing and produced oranges that could compete with those grown in the southern part of the state. Between 1888 and 1891 250,000 orange trees were planted in the Sacramento area, and in 1893 four carloads of the fruit found their way to distant markets. By 1900, 800,000 of the 1,250,000 trees were bearing and Northern California oranges were sent by rail and boat to points all over the country. The Australian strain of red orange scale was a setback to the local citrus industry, but information, help and materials provided by local as well as State agencies helped combat home-grown pests and kept the orchards producing healthy fruit.
