The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-12-24
CHARLES A. P1LsBURY, l Editor "a and amaaer
THE PACKING OF APPLES.

THE PACKING OF APPLES.
E. P. Mayo of Turf, Farm and Home,
who in his paper and in addresses before
the Oranges is endeavoring to advance
the agricultural interests Of the State,
has been taken to task by contemporary
for statements made at the Maine Pomo-
logical meeting, based on his observations
of visit to the Liverpool apple market
on a recent trip abroad. In reply Mr..
Mayo says:
Now in regard to the condition of the
apple market in Liverpool. 1t makes no
difference what we say or what some one
reports us as having said. What is the real
condition? That's the question at issue.
We never said, nor did we ever hear any
one say. that no Maine apples are honest
" packed. Such an assertion would be
absurd There are thousands of barrels
of Maine apples that are honestly packed
every year, and have been for good
many wears. The great bulk of such ap-
pies 10 not have to seek a market. The
market seeks them, and finds them, too.
When apples have been selling here 81
per barrel we have seen the extra marks
selling in Boston for six and eight dollars.
This is not the kind of apples we describ-
ed at the Pathological meeting as being
sacrificed by the commission men in
Liverpool. The scene we described is
daily to be seen in that market today, we
have been told within week by two
gentlemen who have visited Liverpool
this fall
In this connection what the London
Telegraph says of that market is Of in
terest. 1t says that Nova Scotia apples
have the call in London markets, and
gives the reasons therefor:
The gathering of the fruit is conduct
ed with great care, the apples being put
INTO small baskets, from which they are
gently removed and placed into barrels
unsorted, and afterwards conveyed to.a
special packing-house, where the process
of selecting and grading takes place.
This is one of the most important fea-
lures of the apple trade of Nova Scotia,
and although not actually carried out I'M
der government supervision, there is
Fruit Marks Act, which practically en-
sures that the fruit on top Of the barrel
is an indication Of the entire contents,
and not placed IN that position merely
for purposes Of show The exterior Of
the barrel is clearly marked, so that the
buyer is aware of the size and quality of
the fruit without REL owing the lid The
finest fruit is ma ed with the word
fancy" and consists of well grown
specimens OF one variety, sound, of uni
form and of at least normal size, and of
good color for the variety; of normal
shade, free from worm holes, bruises,
scab and other defects, and properly
placed. Next in order of merit are those
designated as mo. L. mo. 2" and
No. g., the distinctions being based
upon the size, color, shape and sound
ness of the fruit.
This uniformity of packing, the Tele-
graph says. has done much to popularize
Nova Scotia fruit in London. The other
method OF packing, known as deacon
ing'-how it got that name we have
never heard-is a relic of the old days
and does not necessarily imply dishon-
esty on the part of the packer, who was
perhaps only following the practice of
his father and grandfather Indeed, this
method was so general in the past that it
was accepted as matter of course
But things have changed greatly of late
years. as witness the pure food law,
and there is increased profit for the
apple grower who complies with present
conditions and takes extra pains in pick
ing, sorting and packing his fruit.
Both Maine and New Hampshire are
now seeking, or preparing to seek, legis-
latlon to protect and promote the fruit
industry, in Maine our State Pomologi-
cal Society has instructed Dr. G. NJ
Twitchell Of Auburn, as a committee of
one, to prepare law and present the
same to the Agricultural Committee of
the Legislature which, if finally passed.
will require that on every closed package
box or barrel-sold or offered for sale
or shipment there shall appear in clear
letters, not less than one-half inch long,
the name of the owner at the time of
packing, the name of the variety and the
grade, whether No. l, No. 2 or No. 3.
Beyond that as full description of
No. apple as possible will be given, and
provision will be made for Furnishing Of
Tenders. Going another step, the So
ciety adopted as the standard barrel that
of the National Apple Shippers Associa-
tion-17 18 inch head, % 1-2 inch stave
and not less than GA inch bulge, and
to contain not less than one hundred
quarts. For box, that used by the Ca
nadians was taken-10x11x20 inches, in
side measurement-as the most conven-
lent and easiest to handle. The purpose
here is to insure uniformity in size and
style of barrel and box as well as con-
tents. If these measures become law
they will aid materially in raising the
standard of our fruit, and will put the
Maine apple at the top of the list.
THE AROOSTOOK STARCH INDUSTRY