The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-03-09
'fPPLE GRADING
AND PACKING LAW
IS INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE
METHODS OF GRADING AND
PACKING.
THE MARKING OF PACKAGES
Applies To All Apples Grown In the
State and Offered For Sale In
Closed Packages.

College Park, March Sat the last
session of the Legislature, an Apple
Grading and Packing Law was passed
for the purpose of improving the
methods used in packing the prod
uct. In bulletin issued by the Ex-
tension Service, S. B. Shaw, Special
list in Horticultural Extension, has to
say: During recent years there has
been a decided increase in the plant
ing of apples in Maryland. Adaptable
soil and climatic conditions, nearness
to markets, the success attending the
efforts of our more progressive grow
ers, and a general realization on the
part of the people that the Blue Ridge
section offers unusual opportunities
for the production of this fruit, have,
to great extent, brought about this
development. When these additional
paintings come into full bearing the
States production Of apples will be
practically doubled. From present in.
dications, it is reasonable to expect
similar developments in adjoining
States. 1t would seem necessary,
therefore, in anticipation Of such an
increased production, to urge more
intensive culture in the growing of
better fruit and provide adequate
BANS for distribution and market
ing.
Notwithstanding all that has been
written and said regarding the impor-
lance and advisability Of properly
grading and packing apples, there are
comparatively few Of our growers
establishing on the markets a reputa-
ton for their grades and packs. Owing
to the nearness to markets, they have
not been compelled to combine into
selling organizations, as in more re-
mote sections of the country, for the
purpose of establishing such reputa-
ton. Each individual has been sell
ing his fruit in a hit or miss fashion
regardless of the practices of other
growers in his section. There has
been no uniform standard and for the
most part little attention has been
paid to this end of the business. The
Z tina is not far distant, however, when
creased production, will force our
growers to adopt some standard in the
grading and packing of their apples
in order that buyers may recognize at
a glance the grade of fruit offered
for sale and be assured that 1t will
be as labeled
with the end in view Of establish
ing uniform grades and packs for
Maryland, the last Legislature passed
an Apple Grading and Packing Law.
The aim of the law is to bring about
an Improvement in the methods OF
grading and packing; to insure uni
formity in the grades and in the
marking of the packages, and to ia
cilitate the marketing Of the fruit.
This law applies to all apples
grown In the State of Maryland and
packed in close packages for sale.
Closed packages include all boxes,
barrels, hampers, baskets or other
packages covered with burlap, can
%as, slat or other covering, the con-
or inspected when such packages are
closed.
mo person shall pack, sell or offer
fer sale any apples packed in any
package in which the face gives a
false representation Of the contents Of
such package. The face should rep
resent the average of the fruit in the
package, as to size, color and quality.
To allow for the inevitable errors in
packing fruit, the law specifies that
it shall be considered false repre-
sentation when more than fifteen per
cent. Of the fruit in the enclosed pack
age is substantially smaller in size
than, or inferior in grade to, that
shown on the face of such package.
For further information regarding
this law or for copies of the bulle-
tin, write to the Extension Service,
College Park, Maryland.
Cutting the Seed.