The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-09-15
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 Prlces-co-
operation In Enforcement OF
Law Urged. @

College Park, Sept. Fruit grow
ers are having brought to their atten-
zion the fact that the apple produc-
zion In Maryland has increased rapid
Ry during recent years. On account
Of the adaptability of our soil and eli
mate to the growing Of apples and our
hearness to markets, many large or
Shards have been planted in all parts
Of the State. When all of these or
Ohards 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 I. B. Sy-
mons, OF the Extension Services:
"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
ao,,orn1Yad "a cwoo r}no iu+aYsnlI4pc ar
gani1ations to establish standard
grades and packs for any particular
section. As result, each grower has
sold his fruit in shit 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
win result, it is now necessary that
CUR growers pack uniformly. By this
means, Maryland apples will be stand
ardized upon the market, with the re-
suit that, buyers, dealers and con-
sumers viii 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.
If 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 IL
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
60 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
.tion Of this Act. The law provides a
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, it Is hoped that Maryland
packed apples will become more
thoroughly recognized on the markets
and that there will be an increased de-