Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-18
CUT MAPLE PACK
WILL AID INDUSTRY
Virginia Growers Cooperate
in Effort to Keep Inferior
Grades Off Market.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WINCHESTER, Va, August. Ia
Commercial apple growers of the States
which pack their fruit in barrels were
responding favorably today to an ap-
peal made by Harry F. Byrd. Winches-
ter, president of the Virginia State
Horticultural Society, to refrain from
packing the unclassif1ed grade in closed
packages this year.
Mr.. Byrd had received pledges of CO.
operation from officials OF the nortl-
cultural societies OF New York In
diana. West Virginia and other states
and all the directors of the Virginia
society telegraphed approval oil the
plan. The Virginia society expects to
conduct the campaign in all states
east of the Mississippi River, or IN
every section of the country, where
apples are packed in barrels or baskets.
Marketing Causes Concern.
"The Government forecast OF the
apple crop" said Mr. Byrd, lis 100000
barrels above the five-year average, or
2i797l 900 bushels. In view OF the
conditions existing not only In Amer
lea. but throughout the apple con-
stIn1ing markets of the world, the mat
ter of marketing is causing much con-
Germ to the fruit growers. The increase
comes almost entirely from the Darrel
packing States Of the East ana tne
Middle West.
advice about apple prices, and neltner
does the Virginia State Horticultural
society attempt to advise growers as TO
definite prices, vet Notwithstanding the
discouraging factors OF the present SIT
uation I am convinced that good grace
apples will be marketable at a, fair pront
to the growers, both for the export ana
domestic markets. In fact, suostan-
tial volume of No. / apples already
have been sold at fair prices. All OF
rs however, should recognize that IN
view of the depressed worldwide con-
ditions now existing the purchasing
power of those who consume our apples
has declined.
at would certainly be the part OF
wisdom to only offer on the market
standard grades OF apples when packed
in closed packages. The Virginia state
Horticultural Society, therefore. strongly
suggests the complete elimination OF all
unclassified apples from closed pack
ages for the current year. In our Judg-
ment this will reduce the crop OF com
mercial apples nearly enough to place
this years crop on the basis OF the aV-
erage crop for the past five years"
Grades Available.
Mr.. Byrd said standard grades are
available for packing United States
Fancy, United States No. /, United
states Commercial, United States Com
bination, United States Hail grade and
United States Utility. The Northwest,
he said, does not pack an unclassifled
grade, ut is our firm judgment" he
said chat nothing lower than the
Utility grade, which corresponds with
the G grade Of the Western box, should
be offered in closed packages this year.
We are convinced that the packing OF
unclassi5ed grade Of inferior apples will
not bring any profit to the growers and
will injure the market for the better
grades
while we do net favor the destruc-
ton of any crop unon which labor and
money already have been expended, we
do strictly urge that inferior grades OF
apples below No 2 grade this year be
offered only fer those uses for which
they are suitsd-namely, in bulk, the
cannery, or the cider plant"
Mr. Byrd declared that the Virginia
State Horticultural Society will pro
mote this campaign in every barrel pro-
ducing State TO urge the growers to re-
frain from the packing of the unclassi-
fed grade" He said that I'VE already
have received SUFFICIENT encouragement
warTanting us to believe that this CAM
palgn VIII meet WIN a READY response
ami the quick approval of the Middle
Western and Eastern States. The result
should be a substantial reduction In ap-
Piles offered in closed packages. This is
the only constructive step that can be
taken to overcome the very adverse cen
ditions now confronting us"
VIII Ask Cooperation.
Mr. Byrd added that the Virginia So
ciety will shortly communicate with all
the growers of Virginia who have any
substantial production and request their
individual Cooperation in the Under
taking. believing. he said, there will be
q whole-hearted and unanimous pledge
on the part Of the growers to adopt the
plan He said 1t was not only a wise
step for the growers to do so, but at this
particular season a practical necessity
for their own protection. 1T will not
only add 10 the profits to be made he
said, but viii go far toward maintain
ing and enhancing the splendid reputa-
ton which Virginia barreled apples now
enjoy.