50 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE SULZER APPLE BILL. 



I. .7. WOODIX, OWOSSO. 



(Second Prize Address.) 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



It is my purpose this morning-, to give you a brief discussion of the 

 Sulzer Apple Bill recently passed by Congress. There are few growers 

 who thoroughly understand the requirements of this bill as to the pack- 

 ing, grading, and branding of apples. As my time is limited I can only 

 mention a few of the more important points, and not go into detail as 

 I would very much like. 



The Sulzer Apple Bill deals with the grading, packing, and branding 

 of apples. It was passed by Congress and signed by the President, 

 August 3, 1912. It provides that: 



(1) The barrel stave shall be 28% inches long, the diameter of the 

 head 17^ inches, the distance between heads 26 inches, and the circum- 

 ference of the bulge, outside measurement 64 inches, making as near 

 as possible 7,056 cubic inches; 



(2) There is to be but one grade and the requirements of it are 

 that all fruit in one barrel shall be of one variety, normal shape and 

 well grown specimens for the variety. They must be of good color, 

 hand picked, and practically free from insect and fungus injury, ex- 

 cept those which are necessarily caused in packing. 



The grade may be divided according to sizes. The minimum size fruit 

 in a barrel being the standard for that barrel. For example suppose 

 we have a barrel marked "Standard Grade, Minimum Size 2V 2 Inches." 

 This means that all the fruit in this barrel is at least 2i/ 2 inches in 

 transverse diameter, and that it will all pass the inspection for stand- 

 ard grades. We are allowed 10% below these specifications, and still 

 be within the limits of the law ; 



(3) The barrels which are marked Standard Grade, shall also have 

 marked on them: 



(a) The name of the variety; 



(b) The name of the locality where grown; 



(c) The name of the packer or persons by whose authority the 

 apples were packed and the barrel marked. 



It is also permissable to mark on the barrel, "Packed in accord- 

 ance with the Act of Congress, August 3, 1912." As this law does not 

 go into effect until July 1, 1913, every grower, or dealer in apples 

 should become thoroughly acquainted with the bill. Now understand 

 gentlemen, you do not HAVE to grade, pack, and brand according to 

 this bill unless you wish to mark your fruit "Standard Grade." If 

 you do mark your fruit Standard Grade, and it does not come up to 

 the requirements of this bill, you are liable to a fine of one dollar 

 ($1.00) per barrel for every barrel that does not come up to the 

 grade and the cost of prosecution. 



