142 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



real!}' does not touch the merits of the case. They can be packed level 

 lull, even with the extension top. The main object of securing a uniform 

 package is accomplished, whether the weight varies or not. If they are 

 not full, the consumer can see it; if they are a little more than full, he 

 will be i\\\ the better pleased. I have heard it stated that the Wells- 

 Hignian company of this city have determined to ignore the law. There 

 will be trouble for them in Allegan count}' if they persist in this. 



Mr. Graham: It seems to me that such a manufacturer is not only 

 ignoring the law, but the interests if his customers, because every grower 

 is liable. I was glad to hear Mr. Comings speak of the quality of the 

 fruit as well n.-i the packing. I don't like to say anything about it, it is 

 rather like takiug my cue from the politicians. If one wants a nomina- 

 tion, or to stand well with the people, he talks about the corporations 

 and the railroads. I have been doing something of the same kind. I 

 have been giving it to the basket manufacturers and saying nothing to 

 the people about the deceptive manner in which the fruit is packed. 

 But it is the truth when Mr. Comings says that Michigan fruit is in dis- 

 credit on account of the manner in which.it is packed. It is not a matter 

 in regard to which we can very well legislate — more is gained by educa- 

 ting the people. It is not a question of dollars and cents in the waj^ of 

 profit, but in the way of loss. There is no man, who expects to stay in 

 the business, who can afford to pack fruit in a dishonest manner. 



Mr. A. J. Merry: In regard to the quantity of grapes we are to put into 

 a basket, we go to the manufacturer and buy an eight-pound basket. We 

 expect that basket will hold eight pounds. If I wish to ship ten pounds 

 of grapes, I must have a basket that will hold ten pounds, and it seems 

 to me that the kind of fruit ought to fill each basket by using the number 

 of pounds it is marked. "With the peach, of course a bushel basket might 

 be made to hold fifty pounds of jjeaches, and we could take those dimen- 

 sions and call it a standard bushel; but with grapes, when I huj a ten- 

 pound basket I want one which will hold ten pounds. 



Mr. Morrill: I think possibly we are liable to be mislead on that idea. 

 The marking will simjily indicate what that is supi^osed to hold; the 

 packing will readily indicate to the buj-er what it does hold. That is, if 

 there is an eight- and a ten-pound basket, side by side, and not marked, 

 the buyer frequently purchases one package thinking he is getting the 

 other; but if it is marked, he knows just what he is getting. Consequently 

 I do not think we ought to throw up an obstacle of that kind. 



Mr. Merry: I bought on one occasion what we called a ten-pound bas- 

 ket. It does not hold much more than an eight-pound basket. My neigh- 

 bor thereupon goes down and orders a special make, takes it home, puts 

 ten pounds of grapes into it, and marks on the cover, " ten pounds of 

 grapes guaranteed." There isn't any mark on mine. He had a special 

 basket made; it was a little too large; the ten pounds did not quite fill it, 

 but I can't get ten pounds into mine. 



Mr. Morrill: But if you have a package that is marked, and your 

 neighbor uses a package that is marked in the same way, neither will be 

 at a disadvantage. 



Q. But if this law is enforced, he can get a larger basket if he wishes. 



Mr. ]\rorrill : Yes, but the package he does get will indicate the amount 

 contained. It simply says to the buyer, ''This package contains so many 



