Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1917-11-23

branding Of d large majority o.
apples produced here as ''unclas-
sifed, land this in itself will IN
jure the selling value without
regard to the quality of the con-
tents.
I am particularly opposed to
the provision providing that the
fancy grade shall have IS perl
cent of characteristic color tor
the variety. OF the apples pro-
duced in the Valley of Virginia,
the York and Ben Davis at pres
ent predominant and these varie-
ties are intended primarily for
cooking purposes. The question
of the extent of color is not so
important as when apples are
cooked color has no effect on the
quality. What is the charac-
teristic color of varieties of ap-I
iples ? I have never been advis-
ed Of any regulations blish-
ing characteristic color. and UNI
der this bill it is proposed to|
take a certain per cent of an un-l
known quality, resulting in end
less confusion and disputes be-
tween growers of apples and the
buyers.
! The provision in the fancy
grade requiring apples not to
vary more than one-half inch in
| diameter necessitates grading
machines which the smaller
lgrowers cannot afford to pur-
. chase.
l am further opposed to any
restriction being placed On the
face of barrels of apples unless
it is a national law. The trade
requires that apples be faced
with the best specimens, and for
Virginia to place restrictions up
OH the facing of apples, which
: must compete in the city markets
-lwith apples from other states
-lwllere no restrictions are placed,
t would prejudice the sale of Our
, lapples.
Ell | am also opposed to licensing
especially as these pack
t lers are licensed without exami.
z lnation to determine their fitness
d to perform their duties.
AS one intensely interested in
fl the future development of the
S apple industry in Virginia, be-
f lieve the enactment of this law
y with its drastic provisions, would
I lparalyze the future development
eiof our apple industry. 1t i.
s lgreatly 10 the disadvantage o.
e the smaller grower, who canno
e afford facilities of grading ant
j. packing. AS the smaller grow
r erS are the foundation of the APP
;. pie business in Virginia, any Law
|. which would react to their dis
n advantage is not in the interest.
# of public policy.
Fl Without official inspection ant
y certification that apples onforn
It to grade, any packing law i.
n mischievous and conducive t.
t disputes, as it will be the wore
d OF the grower against the buyer
e with the advantage in favor O.
the buyer, who will have pos
d session OF perisha BILE article
}. which will not admit of a lone
j. controversy.
Il If a drastic packing law is
d necessary, it should be nationa a
t law, so that each state will com.
i Ipete on an equal basis and each
t barrel should be inspected and
n certified by official inspectors.
1t should not be lost sight o!
: that there are large number oil
= lapple growers in Virginia, espec.
e Tally throughout the Piedmont
and Albemarle sections, who be.
t lieve that this bill will be bene.
hcial to the apple industry. II
t has been endorsed tentatively by
: the Virginia State Horticulture
E ISociety. l propose that the ap-
lple growers of Frederick county,
5 land likewise in Shenandoah
+ county, meet some time during
1.-THE month of November for the
purpose of discussing this bill
and of adopting resolutions as
to their attitude toward the same.
H. F. BYRD.