Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1914-10-20
Marketing The Apple Crop.
By Clarence W. Moomaw. Specialist in
Cooperative Organization, Office
of Markets.

vi 1tfUtit OkliEG
of Markets.
According to Investigations conduct
ed by the U. S. Department of Agricul
ture, it is estimated that the CONNER.
cial apple crop of 1914 will be much
larger than that of last year, but moi
SO great by several million barrels as
in 1912 Present indications are that
the problem of distribution will be
rather complex, owing to the heavy
yield and uncertain conditions resulting
from the European war.
The chief effect Of the war upon the
apple market is feeling of uneasiness
among dealers who have been accus-
toned to buy far export, or for distri-
button at home through the winter.
As to just what constitutes judicious
handling. the Officer of Markets, in
answering inquiries from various parts
of the country, strongly urges
First-That growers pick and handle
the fruit in such condition as to insure
it against deterioration.
Second That growers, associations,
and operators who use the barrel as
container adopt the standard barrel
and uniformly grade and pack the crop
in compliance with the standards of
the Sulzer law, branding their packages
accordingly.
Third-That all inferior grades be
eliminated from the green-fruit mar
kets, and diverted as for as possible to
cider mills, canneries, and evaporators.
Fourth-That only bookkeeping,
standard-packed varieties be placed in
cold storage
Fifth-Fhat special effort be made
to fully supply small towns by direct
sales, for the purpose of securing equi-
table distribution and avoiding the
congestion of large markets.
Sixth-That all growers, operators,
dealers and associations early reconcile
themselves to the conditions. and arrive
to assure quick movement of the crop
from producer to consumer.
In explanation, it is suggested that
growers should not attempt to harvest
the crop at one picking, but rather
should CLEAN the trees for only such
fruit as is ready to come off. repeating
the process until the crop has been
picked in uniform condition The ad-
vantage is that the shipping period
may begin earlier and last longer, there
by securing greater time for effecting
distribution. furthermore, if all the
fruit is harvested at the same time, it
is to be remembered that shipments
represent extreme stages of maturity,
ranging from ripe to green in the same
package, and that frequently toward
the end of the season over-ripe condi-
ton of portion of the crop results
from failure to take off first only what
is in condition for marketing.
Careful handling from orchard to
cars is necessary to prevent deteriora-
ton. 1t is not difficult to understand
why lot of fruit does not arrive in
the market in prime condition if it is
picked and piled on the ground in the
hot sun, placed IN packages in a heated
condition, and finally hauled without
cover ana springs over rough roads.
With proper facilities, apples picked
today should not be packed until tomor-
row. For this purpose shelter should
be provided in order that the fruit may
be packed in a cool dry condition.
Growers who have no packing sheds
should either build such or arrange to
use their barn floors. The wagons
should be equipped with springs, and
cover provided for protection from the
elements.
In preparing the fruit for shipment,
it is desirable that both the optional
and mandatory laws be observed; first,
for the sake of avoiding trouble, and
second, for the good effect such obser
vance will have in establishing conf
dence in the markets among dealers
and consumers.
Reference has been made to the Sui
ger law. with the terms of which it is
supposed the majority of growers and
shippers are familiar. Those who
grade, pack, and brand their barrels in
accordance with its provisions should
be more successful in making quick and
satisfactory sales than otherwise.
When apples are packed in standard
barrel as established by section / of the
Sulzer law, and are plainly and con.
spicuously marked as containing one
barrel of apples of one of the standard
grades described 10 section 2, such g
statement, if true, would constitute g
satisfactory compliance with the mel
weight amendment to the Food anc
Drugs Act. Otherwise the package.
if intended for interstate commerce,
must be marked to comply with the
net-weigbt amendment to show the
quantity of the contents. either by
weight or by dry measure or by numer.
zeal count. A statement of numerical
count must be qualified by the size Of
the apples expressed as the averagt
diameter in inches to be statement o.
quantity.
Indications are that inferior grade!
will meet with very poor demand
and that it will be more profitable t.
keep these grades at home, or for de
livery to by-product plants. Sucl
grades will only move slowly. bu
under the circumstances of a larg,
Y ] -