The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-12-29
COMMUNICATED.

Much has been said in connection
with the changes made in the grades
of our apples. We desire to give few
conclusions drawn from experience
gained in having had much to do with
the handling Of some 15,Oo0 cars Oh
boxed fruit of the northwest, the num-
her of cars handled by the North Paci-
fic Fruit Distributors during the past
four seasons. This volume OF tonnage
going to practically all markets. has
provided us with experiences which
should enable us to speak with author
ity grounded in fact.
The statement is frequently maze
that the tendency OF the Spokane
Grade and Pack Convention was 10
lower standards. The effort put forth
there and carried, was not to lower
standard, but to meet the natural con
ditions and laws of the trade, ana 10
simplify and reduce expense to the
growers. Just because we nave peeh
following a certain course OF actlon 1or
the past ten years, and have become
accustomed to such action, does not
argue that we have been correct On
the contrary, we believe some changes
and readjustments can be maze Whlch
will mean simplification, economy, less
|confusion in the markets, In word,
more dollars and cents to the growers.
There are naturally only two classes
of trade who consumes apples; that Is
the stand trade, and the kitchen or
general trade. We have been haVlng
three packs to supply this trade,
namely, extra fancy, fancy and ~
grades. The little difference between
1.-The extra fancy fancy and "C' grades
was such that much confusion arose
The two grades that find their natural
markets and are each season eagerly
sought after by the purchaser, are u
extra fancy and the "C' grades. lhe
fancy grade seems to have no loglcal
market. 1t is sold everywhere, In our
extra fancy markets and in our ~
grade markets. 1t is the grade that eV
ery organization or selling institution
has difficulty in selling, this is because
there is no we'll defined place 1or II.
Now there were some OF us at the
Grade and Pack convention who be-
I,ieved that this could be corrected by
a readjustment of the grading rules,
that would assist each grade to lind
natural market With this end In view
a few slight changes were made IN the
extra fancy, and decided changes were
made in the fancy and CO. grades. BY
these changes, it is possible Tor the
trade and the grower to more clearly
understand just what the grades stand
for and where the line Is drawn. Ihe
extra fancy will hold its present place
and retain it's distinction as the stand
Iapple.. The fancy grade will take Its
logical place and become the grade OF
general use. 1t will be the apple TOT
storage and speculation by the puyer
lin ordinary markets as well as an APP
nle for ordinary consumption. 1t VIII
be sound and free from disease OF any
kind and clearly understood as tor
common utility. The &c" grade Will be
the cooker grade. 1t will be graae
for immediate consumption only, IL
Iwil, include all apples that are disease
less and have consumptive value.
In the past, the margin of difference
lin real value between extra fancy and
fancy and &c" grade was so small tha'
many growers became careless IN thei
grading. We know many growers whc
argue, and with reason, that 1t was toe
Icostlv for the difference in value, to
grade for extra fancy, and therefore
hacked only fancy and "C". We car
conceive of no mistake for the genera
good of the business greater than TINS
That part of our business in which lies
our greatest profit, and which VIII
make for our highest permanent goou
Is conceded to be in the extra fancy
markets and the fruit to fill the extra