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Fresh

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United States Standards

for Grades of

Asparagus Plumosus

Effective June 6, 1930

(Reprinted - January 1997)
 Packing of the product in conformity with the requirements of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply 1

with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or with applicable State laws and regulations.

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United States Standards for Grades of Asparagus Plumosus1

Grades 

51.4455 U.S. Fancy. 

51.4456 U.S. No. 1. 

51.4457 U.S. Commercial. 

Size 

51.4458 Size. 

Definitions

51.4459 Well trimmed. 

51.4460 Mature. 

51.4461 Well shaped. 

51.4462 Fairly well shaped. 

51.4463 Badly misshapen. 

51.4464 Good green color. 

51.4465 Damage. 

51.4466 Serious damage. 

Grades

§51.4455 U.S. Fancy.

"U.S. Fancy" consists of bunches of well trimmed sprays of Asparagus Plumosus which are

mature and well shaped; free from shattering, second growths, and from damage by any cause.

Unless otherwise specified, the foliage shall be of good green color. (See §51.4458.) 

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than 10

percent, by count, of any lot may be below the requirements of this grade but not part of this

tolerance shall be allowed for sprays which are shattering. 

§51.4456 U.S. No. 1.

"U.S. No. 1" consists of bunches of well trimmed sprays of Asparagus Plumosus which are

mature; free from shattering, second growths, and from damage by any cause. Not less than 60

percent, by count, of the sprays shall be fairly well shaped and the remainder shall be not badly

misshapen. Unless otherwise specified, the foliage shall be of good green color. (See §51.4458.) 

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling not more than 10

percent, by count, of any lot may be below the requirements of this grade but not part of this

tolerance shall be allowed for sprays which are shattering. 

§51.4457 U.S. Commercial.

"U.S. Commercial" consists of bunches of well trimmed sprays of Asparagus Plumosus which are

mature; free from shattering, young second growths, and from serious damage by any cause.

Unless otherwise specified, the foliage shall be of good green color. (See §51.4458.) 
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(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling not more than 10

percent, by count, of any lot may be below the requirements of this grade but no part of this

tolerance shall be allowed for sprays which are shattering. 

Size

§51.4458 Size.

(a) The following terms are provided for general description of sizes. It is not the general practice

to size Plumosus uniformly; therefore, lots should not be quoted as Corsage, Short, Medium, or

Long unless they have been specifically sized to meet the specified requirements. Plumosus may

be quoted as "Short to Medium", "Short to Long", or "Medium to Long" in accordance with the

facts: 

Corsage Short Medium Long

10 to 15 in. 16 to 21 in. 22 to 32 in. Over 33 in.

inclusive inclusive inclusive

(b) For lots which have been sized in accordance with the provisions of the above classification,

the following tolerance is provided: 

(1) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing not more than 20 percent, by count,

of any lot may not meet the size requirements; but not more than one-half of this tolerance, or 10

percent may vary not more than 2 inches above the maximum length or below the minimum length

of the specified size. Length shall be considered as the overall distance from end to end of the

spray measured to the nearest whole inch. 

Definitions 

§51.4459 Well trimmed.

"Well trimmed" means that all noticeably damaged portions of the foliage have been neatly

removed, together with as many of the lower side fronds as may be necessary to provide sufficient

bare stem for proper tying and handling. In the Corsage size not more than one-half of the entire

spray length may consist of bare stem; in the Short and Medium sizes not more than one-third of

the entire spray length may consist of bare stem; in the Long size not more than 12 inches of the

entire spray length may consist of bare stem. 

§51.4460 Mature.

"Mature" means that the spray has reached that stage of growth at which the foliage is fully

developed. 

§51.4461 Well shaped.

"Well shaped" means that the stem of the spray is fairly stiff and fairly erect; the portion of the

stem bearing the foliage does not show any crooked growth other than a slight curving or the

normal characteristic drooping; the bare stem is not decidedly coiled or angular; the tip of the

spray is practically perfect; the side fronds are spaced reasonably close together considering the

length of the spray and with practically perfect tips. 

§51.4462 Fairly well shaped.

"Fairly well shaped" means that the stem may show a reasonable amount of coiled, angular, or

vine-like growth considering the length of the spray; the tip of the spray is practically perfect, and

the side fronds are spaced reasonably close together considering the length of the spray. 
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§51.4463 Badly misshapen.

"Badly misshapen" means that the stem is decidedly coiled, or decidedly angular, or decidedly

vine-like, or that the side fronds are spaced so far apart as to cause the spray to appear decidedly

lacking in foliage. Forked, topped, and stump-like sprays shall be considered as badly misshapen

when they appear decidedly lacking in foliage.

§51.4464 Good green color. 

"Good green color" means that the spray foliage is a deep lustrous green of fresh attractive

appearance. 

§51.4465 Damage.

"Damage" means any material injury to the appearance of the spray caused by insects, disease,

mechanical or other means. 

§51.4466 Serious damage.

"Serious damage" means serious injury to the appearance of the spray caused by insects, disease,

mechanical or other means. 
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