Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1917-09-08
Standardization of Pack Will Make
Thousands of New Customers for
the Worlds Best Apples Grown
In Berkeley County
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER STEWART
SPEAKS OF WONDERFUL POSSIBLE TIES

the full meaning the vital significance to the fruit
industry West Virginia and especially Berkeley with
of apple orchards exceeding other in the United
States of the apple packing laws which went into effect Sat
uray last is realized then people will full SYM
pathy with Them and will join heartily in honest endeavor
To live up requirements thereof aid in having them
enforced.
For almost century Berkeley county has been deve
opg the commercial apple industry until today stands in the
lead in this country in and bushels of apples grown
Far and wide in all the big markets of America and the Euro
pean centres of trade her apples have for fine quail
W the highest in sze color and flavor But with all these points
of superior merit largely due to physical conditions ideal eli
and soil for producing the finest fruit Berkeley county has
realized than half the reward merted crop
due largely to lack of grading in SOME and
disregard for any rules While OF the
local apple growers have their best put out lon goods
the purchaser of Of the shod packs of neghbor would
condemn all Berkeley county fruit
the honest fruit but to help protect him in the pursuit
his livelihood forcing fuitman who would falsely label
his packages and thus deceive the purchasers into right lines
out of the fruit business
The time is at hand when the public will longer stand to-
be deceived by misleading labels such acts unous the fruit
business any locality is not matter of packing apples to
New York big fruit buying
in Chicago is packing fruit with honest intentions
and labelling that the fruit dealer may know at
glance lust what the barrel box hamper contains West
Virginia Fancy AZ apples for instance ought to have but one
meaning whether packed by John Jones jim Smith whatever
the his orchard specia trade mark that the BUYER
in Boston, ST. Louis New Orleans could order and know what
he bung quotation with just much certainty as the
firms who have representatives in the field The Standardization
Of pack has made possible for the Pacific coast fruit grower
hau his " three thousand miles and than compete with
the eastern orchard almost in sight of the big market centres
VI couSunDuOn
i for the local and Agricultural Commissioner James
Stewart unon whom the responsibility of ENFORCING TINS law
falls depended to look carefully to his task and take
every reasonable measure therefor.
MIR. Stewart Discusses New Law.
Referring packing law in interview with an
Evening World reporter, Mr. Stewart said
in regard the apple packing law passed by the last Leg
ature which effect the first of September this year. Is
that the Legislature had in mind the definite purpose
Of advancing the of apple in the state 1t would
seem that this act in perfect harmony with the tendencies OF
the times the producer deliver the thing which he
sells in quality condition Certainly the growers make
good sincere earryou the law will standardize the
West Virginia product stimulate confidence in the eprese
aon the outside closed packages and enhance the splendid
reputation which the state already has producer OF nigh
class fruits While done well to TINS Tune we can
not afford to efforts both the manner OF produc
ing the fruit we'll packing and handling to reach higher
Perfection The of this should be construed and IN
preed spirit of fairness to the packer and the buyer and
the rules administrative order should be
reasonable and practicable In far it shall be my duty as
Commissioner of Agriculture to aid the OF n
law shall be governed by that view OF It, vi course II TINS law
is to be of benefit protection either to the grower or
consumer its provisions followed out nearly as reason
able and practicable it, this not at all impossible or
dishonest packing who knows fairly about quail
tiles of fruit honestly obey this law will have any diff
cuy in keeping and if there is who has
been trying anything less quality than represented ne
VIII have to change his practices out of the business
If this act is carried out in such reasonable ways ana tnor
oGghness entirely possible and practicable 1t VIII IN tne
h place enable the growers in this county to get the worth OF
Then which opinion they did get because OF
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