Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-09-07
APPLE GROWERS
GIVEN PROTECTION
Increased Acreage and PRODUCE
ton Demand More Attention
on the Part of Orchardists
Grading and Packing
Law Recently Enacted
Uniform Grading and Packing Essen.
tIai To Securing Top Prices-co-
operation In Enforcement OF
Law Urged.

College Park, Sept. Fruit grow
ers are having brought to their atten-
ton the fact that the apple produc
ton in Maryland has increased rapid
ly during recent years. On account
Of the adaptabllity of our soil and eli
mate to the growing Of apples and our
nearness to markets, many large Or
chards have been planted in all parts
Of the State. When all Of these or.
chards have come into bearing, our
production in this section will be
doubled. As a result Of increased pro-
duction, the quality Of fruit has i'm
proved, since orchardists are giving
more careful attention to the culture,
fertilization and spraying OF their
trees.
One Of the most important points in
handling the apple crop is to properly
grade and pack the fruit for market. In
this connection, bulletin has just been
issued on apple grading and packing
by the Maryland Agricultural Exten
sion Service, In which the new apple
packing grading law Is explained.
In this bulletin, the following state
ment is made by Director T. B. Sy-
mons, Of the Extension Service:
"Those growers in the East who have
attained success are those who have
established reputation for their grades
and pack. Owing to our nearness to
markets, our growers have not been
compelled to organize interselling or.
CARNATIONS to establish standard
grades and packs for any particular
section. AS a result, each grower has
sold his fruit in hit and miss
fashion, regardless Of the packages Of
the other growers in his neighborhood
We have provided no uniform stand
ard for packing fruit. In fact, little
attention has been paid to his end Of
the business With increased produc
ton and the keen competition which
will result, it is now necessary that
our growers pack uniformly. BY this
means, Maryland apples will be stand
ardzed upon the market, with the re-
suit that, buyers, dealers and con
sumers will learn to place an especial
value upon our fruit.
Attention is further called In this
bulletin to the practical working OF
the apple grading and packing law
passed by the last Legislature. The
aim of this law is to help apple grow
ers who desire to grade their fruit
and thus compete more effectively
with growers in States having similar
laws. The law, as enacted, applies TO
all apples sold in closed packages
II the grower does not desire to
grade fruit in accordance with the
three standard grades, the law pro
vides that such fruit can be sold II
marked orchard run" In all cases,
the minimum size and class OF fruit
In the package must be branded upon
the package as explained in the regu.
lations.
The enforcement of law is vested in
the State Board Of Agriculture, whose
officers or agents are given authority
to enter upon the land and premises OF
any person within the State for the
purpose OF inspecting packages OF
apples and securing evidence Of viola.
ton Of this Act. The law provides q
maximum penalty of $50 for the first
offence and maximum penalty of
800 for subsequent violations of any
Of the provisions.
BY securing the hearty cooperation
of growers, dealers and other inter
ested parties in the enforcement OF
this law, 1t is hoped that Maryland
packed apples will become more
thoroughly recognized on the markets
and that there will be an increased de
mand for Maryland grown fruit.