The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-29
what Articles Ought to be Sold by
Weight and What by Measure.


ANNAPOLIS, January 27.-The packing in
terests of Baltimore have long suffered from
q systematic shortage in almost all fruits and
vegetables offered in the market. There has
been no regulation upon the mode of their
sale, and most of the berries and small fruits
have been sold in boxes, which vary greatly
in their contents. A box of trawberries,
nominally holding quart, will actually not
hold much over half that quantity loose
heapipg, leaves at the bottom OF the boxes,
or narrow diameter, taking up large por.
ton of the space. The same dishonesty is
practiced in the sale Of peaches, pears,
ounces, and other fruit, so that system OF
fraud is encouraged among al! the dealers,
each endeaYoring to secure himself against
less by giving the same short quantity to the
b1lyer as that received by him. These ir-
Irregularities introduce great deal OF confu-
sion in the market. rs they prevent any ac-
curacy in estimating the quantity which will
actually be received in purchase, aud pre-
venting fair relation between price and
quality, It was for the same reason that an
act was passed compelling the sale OF Pota-
toes to be made by weight instead Of mea-
surenent. This morning committee of
fruit-packers, representing Louis McMurraY
G. Co., William Numsen & Sons, W. w.
Bower, Wentz g. Barndollar, j. B. Brinkley
& Son. and Tighlman & Drakcly, all we'll
known Baltimore firms, visited the Legisla-
ture and submitted the following provisions:
First. When peaches, pears, or ounces
are offered for sale in boxes, said boxes, if
without a division, shall contain 2,T41 cubic
iuches, and shall be conspcuousy marked
some busbel.'' Ifsaid boxes havea division,
then each portion Shall contain not less than
1873 cubic inches, and shall be conspicu.
ousy marked "onc-half bushel." When
offered for sale in baskets, said baskets shall
contain not less than 1878 cubic inches, aud
shall be marked "onc half-bushel."
Second. Tomatoes shall be sold by weight,
at the rate of fiity.siY pounds to the bushel,
and shall not be sold in any other way.
Third. When strawberries, blackberrieS,
whorlleberrieS, raspberries, gooseberries,
mulberries, or other small fruits or berries
are offered for sale is boxes or baskets, said
boxes or baskets shall be conspicuously
marked either zone quartz or Sc one pint"
If marked one quart they shall contain not
less than Is cubic inches; if marked one
pint they shall contain not less than 37a
cubic inches.
Fourth. DamsonS, cherries, plums, and
cages shall be sold by weight, and shall not
be >old in any other way.
Fifth. Lima beans, when offered for sale
hulled, shall be sold by weight, at the rate of
fEty-two pounds to the bushel. ~;
The Anne Arundel delegates, whose con-
stituents are largely affected by any legisla-
ton upon the fruit interest, will probably
support the bill, as regular standard of sale
must be of advantage to the growers, except
those who purposely engage in systematic
fraud. Blackberry pickers will sell FIVE
buckets to hucksters and middlemen, who
will manage to get seven buckets out Of the
same quantity, and so prevent competition
from the pickers who would 60 into market,
giving an honest measure. 1t is well known
that some of the growers would like TO keep
up the present system, but its inherent dis
honesty should prevent their opposition
from influencing the Legislature. Thequan-
titles prescribed in the bill are the State
standards Of measurement, and there caa be
no objection upon that score.
(Note.-In the case of peaches, pears, and,
ounces, there is fraction of a cubic inch
omitted, as its appearance would confuse
some readers
The above is matter worthy Of the atten.
tjon of the authorities here. 1900