The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-13
THE STANDARDFOR
APPLE BARRELS
Divided Sentiment Among Fruit
Growers Of Nirginia-One
Inch Separates Them.
NATIONAL STANDARD WANTED
New York Law Seems to Govern
in Most Sections OF
Country.
NATIONAL STANDARD WANTED

1t seems that the fruit growers OF
Virginia are just now discussing
among themselves the question, What
is a standard barrel?" in which to pack
apples for the markets of tho country.
Only last week The Times-Dispatch
published an article by Walter Whate-
~. OF Crozet. the secretary of the Vir-
GINA Horticultural Society. in which
the so-ca!led Virginia standard bar
rel measuring twenty-seven and a half
inches In height. was strongly advo-
Gated
Clarence W. Moomaw. of Stanton,
the general manager of the Virginia
Fruit Growers (Inc.). in a recent talk
with Staunton newspaper man. gives
his reasons for mis- belief in the use
of the New York standard. which
measures twenty eight and a half
inches in length. being one inch long
er than the so-calle6 Virginia stand
ard
Manager Moomaw stated that pro-
portionately more OF the New York
standard barrels are used each year.
and that the time is not far distant
when practically all standard pack ed
Virginia apples will be shipped in the
twenty eight and a helf-inch steve
barrel
Must Accept Common Standard.
Speaking of the attitude of the Vir-
GINA Fruit Growers Qnc) toward its
use of the so-called New York stand
ard as. opposed to the so-called Vir-
ginia standard, Mr.. Moomaw had the
following to say:
IN view of the fact that the TWEEN
ty- eight and a half inch stave, or 100
quart. barrel is generally accepted
the country over as the national
standard apple BARREL and especially
in view of the specific requirement OF
New York City, and looking to the
best interest OF our members and the
future of the Virginia State apple in
dustry, we long since decided that IL
we expect to establish fine reputa-
tidh for OF brands and secure to the
members throughout the Valley Of
Virginia and vicinity the best results
in the way of returns. we must
without doubt accept the so-called
New York standard apple barrel as
the standard of the organization.
1--WE knew full well the minimum
measurement prescribed by the Vir-
ginia statute, but also. in the light of
our experience with domestic and for
eign markets, we knew full we'll with
what .disfavor the 27h-in stave
meets both with the wholesale and re-
tail dealers, as we'll as in many cases
with the law itself. SO, In placing our
contracts for barrels. our coopers were
required to deliver the measurement
accepted by law as standard for New
York and accepted by custom as stand
ard the country over.
Difference in Measurement.
"As for difference in measurement,
1t has been asserted by some that the
New York standard barrel holds one
peck more than the so-called Virginia
standard, and that the growers who
are required to pack in the New York
standard must lose one peck of apples
to the barrel. while. as matter OF
fact. the difference is one gallon.
But whether tho difference be one
gallon or one bushel the price does
not make the barrel; the barrel makes
the price, and. as far as we are con-
cerned, IL we were buying apples on
our own account, we would most as
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