Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-06
STANDARD FOR
BASKETS FOR
FRUIT, TRUCK
Growers Warned To
Dispose of Contain
ers Not Complying
With Law

WASHINGTON, Dec. Borrowers
who use baskets which are illegal
uncer the standard container act of
1928 should dispose of such baskets
prior to November /, 1929, the Unit
ed States department Of agriculture
has announced in connection with
regulations covering administration
of the act.
The act applies to baskets in both
1ntrastate and interstate commerce.
Growers are advised by the depart
ment to regulate their purchases so
that all nonstandard baskets will be
disposed OF before November /,
1929.
Another effect Of the law. in the
opinion of the solicitor for the de-
~paTtnent, is to make imperative all
state laws fixing weights per bushel
Tor fruits and vegetables. when such
commodities are sold in baskets
meeting its requirements. This
means that no state law which is ii
any way in conflict with the federal
act, either in the matter Of pre-
scribed weights or dimension speci-
tications. q be enforced as to
fruits and vegetables sold in ham
pers and baskets which comply with
that act.
Law Fixes Standards
The standard container act ot
1928, passed during the last session
Of congress, fixes standards for
hampers, round stave baskets and
splint baskets for fruits and vegeta-
bles, and for other purposes. Ad-
mInistration of tho law is in the bu-
reau of agricultural economies.
which bureau is also administering
the act of 1916 to fix standards for
climax baskets for grapes and other
fruits and vegetables, and to fix
standards for baskets and other con-
tanners for small fruits. berries and
vegetables, and for other
The new legislation defines stan
dard hampers and round stave bas-
hets for fruits and vegetables TO be
Of n following capacities: One
eighth bushel. one-fourth bushel,
one-and-one-fourth bushels, one-and-
onehalf bushels, and two bushels.
For the purposes of the act a bushel,
standard dry measure, has a capaci-
~ Of 2,150.42 cubic inches.
STANDARD splint baskets for fruits
and vegetables, under the act, shall
be the four-quart basket. eight-quart
basket, l2-quart basket, I6-quart
basket, 24-quart basket, and 32-auart
basket, standard dry measure, a
quart standard dry measure having a
capacity of 67.2 cubic inches.
Prohibits Manufacture
The legislation requires that mo
manufacturer shall manufacture
hampers, round stave baskets, or
splint baskets for fruits and vegets-
bles unless the dimension specifica-
tions for such containers shall have
been submitted TO and approved by
the secretary Of agriculture" Also,
that 1T shall be unlawful 10 man.
ufacture for sale or shipment. to Of
fer for sale, to sell, TO offer for
shipment, or to ship. hampers, round
stave baskets or snlint baskets for
fruits and vegetables, either filled
or untitled, or parts Of such ham
pers. round stave baskets. or splint
baskets that do not comply with this
act"
The department regulations de-
clare that a basket or hamper, the
gross dimensions of which are such
as to give TO the unframed eye the
appearance Of a greater or lesser ca
pacity than that Of g standard con-
tainer. or which is not readily dis
tinguishable from another standard
container, Is Of deceptive appearance.