White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-07-14
G Grade Apples
Are OutIaWed
BY Growers
CONFERENCE VOTES DECISIVELY
TO ELIMINATE THEM FROM
STANDARD PACK

Elimination of the G grade from the
| commercial apple pack in the state of
Washington, which has been discussed
more or less during the last few years,
became a fact when the delegates at
the state grade and pack conference
| in Wenachee last Friday voted over
whelmingly for such elimination.
This action is said to be the most
important step taken in the northwest
apple industry since the grade and
pack rules were first adopted.
Edmund Anderson, delegate from
| White Bluffs, and l.. A. Codding, who
accompanied him to Wenatchee, say
that the question was warmly discussed
at the conference with the dealers and
shippers generally lined up against the
elimination while most of the growers
J supported it.
The fact that the G grades seldom
return a profit to the grower and the
refusal of the transcontinental rail-
roads to grant reduction in freight
rates were powerful factors in the final
determination of the question.
1t is estimated that the elimination
of the C's will mean a reduction of
5000 carloads in the amount of fruit
that will be shipped from the state OF
Washington this year and will result
in a loss of approximately $5000,000
to the railroads.
Commenting on the action taken at
the conference the Wenatchee Daily
World lists the following results:
L. Complete elimination of the G
grade from the standard grade and
pack
2. Provision that only extra fancy
and fancy grades may be placed in
the standard Washington apple box.
OF transportation of fruit having great
er than three per cent infestation.
d. The yellow Newtown and Ortley
were exempt from the C grade ruling.
No color or maturity requirement will
be enforced on summer varieties.
! s. All apples less than fancy and
within the three per cent infestation
tolerance will be required to carry
shipment permit, the charge for which
will be IS cents per ton. The money
derived from this source will be used
in policing distribution of inferior fruit.
| 6. Oregon fruit interests were asked
to cooperate by taking steps similar to
those taken by the Washington grow
ers.
"We've accomplished more here to-
day than we have for years." stated
William Meikle, Wenatchee grower and
president of the Washington Horticul-
tural Society. I'VE should start an i'm
mediate campaign of education among
the growers.
1.-THE C grade is out now and the
thing to do is to stop raising them.
| Cutting out of water sprouts now.
thinning of fruit inside the tree and
small stuff which gives promise of be-
ing C grade, will do a lot to eliminate
the grade in the orchard.
Color picking and orchard sorting
will also go long way to cutting cost
of production and elimination of G
grade expense. We must make up our
minds not to pick, pack or sell any
thing lower than fancy grade"
Likelihood that Oregon will join with
Washington in elimination Of the G
grade was voiced by a grower from
the apple district near Hood River
He stated that Hood River growers
were agreed on elimination of G grade
and were only waiting action of the
Washington conference before taking
a similar step.
Indicating that the Gull ruling can
be enforced, Erie J. Barnes, director
of agriculture, stated, IF this confer
ence goes on record favoring nom
shipment of culls having greater in
festaton than allowed in the packed
grades, we can enforce that rule and
the courts will uphold us"