136 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



the tree fruit sections.) The method oftenest used is to stack the 

 peaches, plums, pears, etc., on tallies, and to pack from the accumulation, 

 choosing uniform specimens for each box, and handling over and over 

 to find the same. Grading tables, scientifically constructed, can be 

 built, and padded with cloth, for +1.50 each, on which the tenderest 

 fruit may be graded by hand mure economically and far better. Such 

 reasonable equipment must be provided when the law's requirements 

 of uniformity are mure rigidly enforced. 



.Maturity has been very largely left by the inspectors to the shippers 

 and growers themselves, that is. with the tree fruits. I doubt if any of 

 the inspectors employed were as competent to judge of this as the 

 handlers themselves. A successful shipper, whether manager of an 

 association, or buyer or dealer, must, and does, know the actual carrying 

 qualities of each and every variety and kind. Also the requirements of 

 the respective markets. These things enter into the criticism of the law, 

 and must be given first consideration. 



The practical application of the law this year was not altogether a 

 new thing in some districts. In Placer and El Dorado counties, also in 

 the grape districts, standards for packing were established by voluntary 

 association of shippers and growers, for that purpose, some years ago. 

 Competition among buyers and handlers had bred rank carelessness in 

 packing until shippers and growers were forced together for the pro- 

 tection of the pack. Rules for all varieties and systems of packs were 

 established, and enforced, with immediately favorable results. These 

 rules were made without any regard to whether or not they would stand 

 the test of law. They were the "codification," one might say, of the 

 best styles and systems of packing the various kinds of fruit. Rules 

 for each specific variety were made by a committee of experienced pack- 

 ers. While these rules provided standards which the associated packers 

 and handlers agreed to ship exclusively, they also furnished valuable 

 guides for all growers and packers, especially inexperienced persons, 

 who could learn from the printed rules and diagrams that were posted 

 in the orchard packing houses. Independent inspectors were hired and 

 paid by the shippers and shippers associations. The scheme worked 

 exceedingly well where the shipping concerns cooperated, and refused 

 any pack below the standard. Where cooperation was not close, how- 

 ever, the need of state authority for the inspectors was seen. The 

 present law was largely based on the experiences of these earlier regula- 

 tions. In the districts mentioned, public sentiment was strongly favor- 

 able to regulation, so that when the law went into effect growers and 

 packers were well accustomed to the provisions of the statute. 



From the experience thus far gained, it seems unquestionably wise I" 

 have state-wide standards for the packing of California fruit. That is, 

 standards of styles and systems. Bui 1 believe this can be far better 

 brought about in conventions, and the publishing of specifications and 

 diagrams for the information of all concerned, rather than writing this 

 detail into statutes. 



The application of the law, while one season can hardly be claimed 

 as a thorough test, has emphasized what experience with standard rules 

 before had made apparent, the necessity For considering firsl the limi- 

 tation* of the grower, and of fruit growing, and of packing, under the 

 particular conditions existing in this state, with the production of the 



