86 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



APPLE PACKING AND GRADING LAW. 



Among the important agricultural laws enacted by the last 

 legislature was the apple packing and grading law. It marks 

 the successful termination of a long continued struggle for an 

 adequate means to prevent misbranding and dishonesty in pack- 

 ing apples. This measure was due mainly to the work of the 

 Pomological Society, particularly its president, H. L,. Keyser. 

 His tireless and indefatigable efforts in behalf of this bill stand 

 as an inspiration to the growers of this state. That it will prove 

 a distinct advantage to Alaine fruit and Maine growers, there 

 is little doubt, for ev-en with one year's trial a difference can be 

 felt for the better. The work of the fruit inspectors is dis- 

 cussed elsewhere. The law is as follows: 



PUBLIC LAWS OF I913. CHAPTER 1 56. 



An Act to regulate the packing, shipping and sale of apples. 



Sectidn i. The standard barrel for apples shall contain 

 seven thousand cubic inches, provided howeyer that a barrel of 

 the following dimensions when measured without distention of 

 parts: Length of stave, twenty-eight and one-half inches; di- 

 ameter of head, seventeen and one-eighth inches ; distance be- 

 tween heads, twenty-six inches; circumference of bulge not less 

 than sixty-four inches outside measurement, shall be a lawful 

 barrel. The standard bushel box for apples shall contain two 

 thousand three hundred and fifty cubic inches. Provided, how- 

 ever, that a box eighteen inches by eleven and one-half inches 

 by ten and one-half inches, inside measurement, without disten- 

 tion of parts, shall be a lawful bushel box. 



Section 2. The standard grades for apples when packed in 

 closed packages 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 one-half inches in diameter, sound and free from worm 

 holes, bruises, scab or any other defect that materially injures 

 the appearance or useful quality of the apples, and shall be 

 properly packed in clean, strong packages. 



Second. Number one, or class one, shall consist of well ma- 

 tured apples of one variety of normal shape and good 

 color for the variety, not less than two and one-quarter 



