Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-27
STATE HOUSE,
Matters Of Vital Interest
to Packers Of Fruit,
New Nominations Announced
By The Governor, Friday.
Corporation Changes and New Cor.
poration Certificates Are Filed,
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Regular Meeting of Governor and
Council, Thursday Oct. 9, 1918, 10
A. M.

Maine fruit growers will get vallIa
bic information as to the importance
of properly grading and packing fruit
in letter given out Friday by the
agricultural department. The entire
letter is given below:
Fruit growing has long been an i'm
portant industry in the State of Maine
but only in the past few years have
we begun to pay attention to the i'm
portance of properly grading and
packing the fruit.
The most important fruit sections
are those where the great est care is
taken in grading, packing. and mar
keting the fruit.
Before Maine can take her riehtful
place as fruit growing center. we
must change our methods of pIac-
ing our products upon the market. We
must establish standard grades. We
must pack uniformly in all parts of
the State. The stamp of standard
grades upon fruit as packed. must be-
come trademark for that grade, 50
that all consumers when they see a
box or barrel of Maine fruit bearing
the stamp of fancy apples. will be
ready to pay the highest market price
Cor that box Or barrel. knowing the
contents to be guaranteed by the
stamp or Trademarks.
No one point connected with the or
chard business is so important as close
attention to honest pack and standard
grades
Realizing the Importance of q better
preparation of our fruit for the mar
l. h. I iet,
sion, passed a law, creating standards
| in size and quality. to guide us in MAX
ing a uniform pack in all parts of the
State. The Legislature also provided
funds so that all growers and packers
of fruit should be instructed and as
sisted in packing fruit according to the
standards of grade and quality estab-
llshed by the Legislature.
The Fancy" grade consists of fruit
above the average in size and color
for the variety, none smaller than 21s
inches in diameter, all sound and free
from worm-h holes, bruises, scab, or 9TH
er injurious defect.
The Number /" grade consists. of
fruit of normal size, shape and color
for the variety, none smaller than pa
inches in diameter all sound and free
from worm-ho bruises. seab or 9TH
er injurious defects.
The Number - grade consists of
well matured apples, of one variety,
medium in color and normal in shape.
not less than inches in diameter, ex-
eept that apples more than "a inches
in diameter may have one defect such
az q wormhole or a bruise.
The Number g. grade consists of
fruit which will not conform to the
conditions for the other three grades
and shall be stamped "Unclassified.
The penalty provided for misbrand-
ing or adulterating apples. for packing
and selling or offering for sale pack
ages of fruit in violation of the law.
is an amount not over 500 for the FIRST
offence, or over 500 for each subse-
quent offence.
Any person desiring a complete copy
of the law may secure the same by
writing the Department of Agriculture,
at Augusta.
The commissioner of agriculture.
through his assistants, is ready to ex-
plain the law fully to those who do
not understand it, and to assist. in
any way he may be able, the further
ance of the fruit interests in Maine"
J. W. Blunt, insurance commissioner,