It followed trends of cotton and tobacco that flourished in the Paterson area and brought money for farmers to raise their families.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The orange crops were nicknamed the Paterson orange, even though the variety is believed to have originated in China or India.The sweet and juicy Paterson oranges built a solid reputation across the state. It began in the 1820s and was strong until it declined after World War II.
Author Valma Patfield, who has written the book Paterson Orange, said farmers turned to dairy farming when the plants aged and consumer trends changed.
“It had a lot of thorns and when the new thornless varieties came in demand soared and the orchards were used for other farming pursuits,” she said.
The Paterson Historical Society member said development was now encroaching on farming land in the area. She wrote the book to educate the region and allow the reader to feel connected to the important role agriculture plays.The book will be launched at Paterson courthouse on Sunday at 1pm.
