564 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



ket is a little off, aud wire that the car has arrived out of condition 

 and subject to my order. The rejected car is then turned over to 

 some other house which, of course, has a good excuse for slaughter- 

 ing this rejected fruit, and then I may be called upon to pay freight 

 and other incidental expenses. I consider the most satisfactory 

 way for the producer is to sell his apples at home, either in bulk 

 in orchard or by the barrel, packed and settled for on the spot." 



It does not necessarily follow that this successful orchardist's ex- 

 perience is the best for all to observe; conditions may vary as to 

 location. But right here comes in the absolute necessity of fruit 

 growers keeping posted on crop prospects, as the season moves on 

 from month to month; and on market conditions in order that they 

 may sell the fruit independently at the right time, and get for it 

 all the market will stand. Growers who are not in favor of con- 

 signing apples claim that the man who does consign is practically 

 obliged to "hold the bag" all the time. He takes all the risk and 

 worry and also stands the cost of growing, picking and shipping, 

 with the result that if anybody gets hurt in the deal it is in this 

 instance the producer. In a word I have been unable to find any 

 positive evidence of abundant success in the co-operative sale of 

 apples, although in the Southwest there are developments along 

 this line. Pears and quinces may be properly placed in this same 

 class, while peaches and cherries should be regarded in much the 

 same light as quickly perishable fruits along with berries. 



Bearing upon this whole subject of marketing fruits, it is worth 

 while to note that in some of the New England states commercial 

 apple growers are becoming greatly interested in the Canadian 

 Fruit Market Act. This is, no doubt, familiar to some of you. In 

 brief, it is a stringent law regulating what shall aud what shall 

 not go into a barrel bearing a certain brand. In a sense, it is the 

 legislature coming into the deal, and forcing the orchardist to be 

 honest in packing, grading and marketing his apples. The theory 

 is that it will eventually prove for the greatest good of the greatest 

 number, producers included; that action which tends to place on 

 the consuming markets fruit in better condition will tend to greatly 

 increase its. use and must benefit both consumer aud producer. 



The Canadian law provides substantially for two grades of apples. 

 No. 1 and No. 2. Amendments which went into effect last July 

 placed Canadian No. 1 grade somewhat higher than formerly, and 

 really means that every apple in a No. 1 package must be practically 

 perfect. A 10 per cent, allowance is presumed to cover only such 

 defects as could not readily be detected by a fairly careful packer. 

 The standard market grade in Canada under this law is in reality 

 the No. 2. Such package will contain apples 80 per cent, of which 

 are free from any defects that will cause material waste. The No, 

 3 is not defined by the law, but is provided for the purpose of meet- 

 ing the needs of any marketable apples that may not qualify for 

 the higher grades. Each box or number intended for sale must 

 be plainly labelled in conformity to the law before fruit is taken 

 from the premises where packed. There must be the full name and 

 address of the individual or corporation, name of the variety, and 

 a distinction of the grade, and no one must sell fruit or offer it 

 for sale unless the package is thus properly marked. Violators of 



