The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-09-21
MARKETING APPLES

> place among tn emore important agri-
) cultural products OF Somerset County
and each year more and more of our
| farmers. realizing the revenue to be
derived therefrom, are raising apples
/ for the out-of-state market. In adj
, dition to knowing how to produce good
|, fruit it is also essential that the ship
per be acquainted with conditions
governing their transportation There
was a time when one could send ap-
pies in any old box or barrel without
the least bit of restriction. This
condition no longer exists. Several
pomologists experienced much incon-
venience last season when, on account
of Illegal packing or aabeNng, the
freight Office refused to accept their
apples. To prevent like occurrences
and supply our agriculturists with
useful information is the intention of
this article.
In the first place the Maine Apple
law should be familiarized and we
quote sections taken from the Maine
Pure Food Law" an interesting pam
phlet issued free by the Maine De-
partment of Agriculture. Section rs
page Is states, The standard barrel
for apples shall contain seven thou
sand cubic inches; provided, how
ever, that a barrel Of the following
dimensions when measured without
distention of parts; length of staye,
twenty-eight and one-half inches; dia-
meter of head, seventeen and one
eighth inches; distance between heads
twenty six inches; circumference of
bulge not less than GA inches
outside measurement, shall be a
lawful barrel. The standard bushel
box for apples shall contain two thou
sand three hundred and fifty cubic
inches; provided, however. that box
eighteen inches by eleven and one-half
inches by ten and one-half inches, in
side measurement, without distention
of parts, shall be a lawful bushel box.
Grain dealers, hardware stores and
/ Farmers Unions can generally fill
your want for standard boxes and bar
rels. We find that Skowhegan deal
ers charge about soc for boxes and
/ 75c for barrels.
Section rs, pig. 16, tells us that
Manufacturers of standard barrels
and boxes to be used in shipping ap-
p'@p
on each barrel the words, standard
barrel" and on each box the words
STANDARD box" Whoever fails to
comply with this section shall be pn-
nished by fine not exceeding one hun
dred dollars. Municipal and police
courts, and trial justices shall have
original jurisdiction, concurrent with
the supreme judicial court and the
superior courts, Of prosecution under
this section"
Section 81, pg. 16 is especially in
/ teresting in view of the fact that it
gives rules for the classification of
apples THE standard grades for
apples when packed in closed pack
ages shall be as follows:
First: Fancy shall consist of apples
of one variety above the average size
and color for the variety. and none
smaller than two and onc-haif inches
in diameter, sound and free from
worm holes, bruises, scab. or any 9TH
er defect that materially Injuries the
appearance or useful quality of the
apples, and shall be properly packed
in clean, strong packages.
Second Number one or class one.
SldlI tOuSlSl vi Ntll-lldlu tu dDDltS
of one variety of normal shape and
good color for the variety, not less
than two and one-quarter inches in
diameter sound and free from all de-
fects, such as worm-h0les, bruises,
scab, or any other defect that mater
tally Injuries the appearance or useful
quality of the apple. and shall be pro-
perly packed in clean, strong pack
ages.
Third: Number two, or class two,
shall consist of well maturcd apples
of one variety, not less than two in
ches in diameter of medium color for
the variety and normal shape. Apples
| two and onc-quartcr inches in diane
! ter or less, must be sound Apples
more than two and Onc-quarter in
ches in diameter may have one defect
such as worm-holc or a bruise IL
the skin is not broken and shall be
properly packed in clean, strong pack
ages.
Fourth: Unclassified. Apples not
conforming to the foregoing condi- !
tions as to variety. size and other con-
ditions. shall be Classed as unclassi
] fed.
In our last issue we dealt with sec
tions %. % and 27 of the Maine Pure
Food Law regarding the packing of
apples. We continue on the subject
this week.
Section %. pig. II, deals with marks
required on outside of package. Eve
ry closed package of apples which is
packed, sold. distributed, transported,
offered or exposed for sale, distribu-
ton or transportation in the state by
any person shall have affixed i'm
conspicuous place on the outside there
of plainly printed statement clear
ly and truly stating the size of the
lckage in terms of standard bushel
/ box or standard barrel, the name and
address of the owner or shipper OF
the apples at time Of packing, the
name of variety, the class of grade of
the apples contained therein, and if
the apples were grown in Maine that
! fact shall he plainly designated The
+ y