158 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



market is reduced and the offerings being better in quality and less in 

 quantity, naturally prices are higher. Another reason some packers 

 decided to go without standardization this year was because some of 

 the local brokers told them the crop of this year was so free from 

 defects, more spraying having been done as a result of the work of our 

 chief inspector, who spent his time after last year's packing season 

 ended, in the orchards, advising with and encouraging the growers. 



We are hopeful that the standardization law may be made compulsory 

 to the extent that every packer failing to live up to the requirements 

 of the act will be forced to indicate on the box or container by some 

 mark that the apples therein are second grade apples. 



Another feature of particular interest this year has been the require- 

 ments of buyers for the English market, which has been our best market 

 this season. These buyers have in practically every ease demanded 

 standardized or inspected apples when the same was made f. o. b. 

 shipping point. This has also been the rule for nearly all sales where 

 Hie apples were going < utside of the state of California. 



One other feature should be noted, and that is the improved pack 

 generally, as a result of the standardization law. Many packers have 

 seemed to be unwilling to pay for the cost of inspection, viz: one-half 

 cent per box; yet they have either recognized its value, or felt they 

 could not sell their apples put up in the old style inferior pack. They, 

 therefore, of their own accord put up a much better pack, using more 

 care in sorting and in every way improving the character of their 

 product for market, which has resulted in less rejections at the final 

 destination and less delay in the return of the proceeds from sales and, 

 of course, less friction between the buyer and seller. Such friction is 

 sure to occur when the buyer finds upon examination that the goods 

 purchased are not up to representation. Pajaro Valley apples stand 

 higher in the markets of the world today than they have for many 

 years past, all of which speaks well for what has been accomplished 

 in the short space of Iesj£_than two years. 



The final test is. 1 believe, a monetary one and it is safe to say at 

 this time that there is at least .+500. coo more money on deposit in the 

 banks of Watsonville than was the case one year ago. or two years ago, 

 while many growers have paid their store bills in full. The returns 

 from the crop for a number of previous years were not sufficient to 

 fully care for the grower's requirements. The returns this year, how- 

 ever, have come in much earlier than for many years past and are much 

 more satisfactory. They are. however, still far below what could be 

 realized by better organization; we therefore look confidently into the 

 future, for the advancement already made with standardization insures 

 a continuation along these progressive lines. The framers of the 

 standard apple act of 1915 have much to be proud of, with absolutely 

 no regrets, and with proper provision for a second grade along the 

 lines herein outlined, the act will be one of the best on the statute 

 books of this state. 



