344 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



and the other inspectors of fresh fmits needing as many incarnations as we have 

 shipping or receiving points in order to settle disputes between growers or shippers 

 and inspectors, were we to appoint any hut practical men as deputies for this work. 



You may, perhaps, think that I am laying over much stress on this maturity 

 question, to the exclusion of other points. However, I consider that the other 

 provisions are comparatively easj to enforce, since violations can he detected immedi- 

 ately upon inspection, and that (his is the most important issue and the only one very 

 likely to create a dispute or difference between the inspectors of two or more counties. 



At Napa I suggested thai provisions should be incorporated in the law looking to 

 uniformity of inspection under the direction of the state commissioner of horticul- 

 ture. This has been accomplished by the creation of the offices of inspectors in chief 

 in section 13 of the new act, and these officers are directed and empowered to settle 

 such disputes as I have .iust mentioned. In Placer we shall always be very glad to 

 see either, or both, of our inspectors in chief, even if their decision were against us 

 after they had sen the fruit (they would surely have to see the fruit before they 

 could settle such a dispute). However, I think we can save them a good deal of 

 trouble if the inspectors of fresh fruits from counties between which such differences 

 are likely to arise can meet with the inspectors in chief and try to come to an under- 

 standing of just what does constitute a degree of ripeness fit for shipment in some 

 of the most common varieties at least. 



MARKETING CANTALOUPES UNDER THE STANDARDIZA- 

 TION ACT. 



By P. W. Waite, County Horticultural Commissioner, El Centre Cal. 



The act creating standardization of fresh fruits in this state August 8, 1915, was 

 put into effect on the cantaloupe crop of the Imperial Valley in the year 191G, this 

 being the first year after it became a law. 



As this season's crop is just beginning to move I will give an outline of how we 

 handled the inspection last year. It has been proven that where the law was enforced 

 last year much good was done. Realizing that laws are of no effect unless enforced 

 I decided to use the authority vested in me and do my duty to the best of my ability. 



This being the first ti a law was to lie enforced on the packing and shipping of 



cantaloupes there were many things to be considered and in order to get all parties 

 interested in ami acquainted with the law I decided to call a meeting of the shippers 

 and distributers and give them an opportunity to state their side of the case. I 

 wrote letters to all the distributers of cantaloupes outlining my views witli the idea 

 of getting all parties to meet in conference and agree to cooperate. The replies to this 

 letter were very encouraging and with the exception of one, all were willing to 

 cooperate. They expressed a desire to have a meeting to go over the requirements of 

 the law and agree on plans of procedure. At the first meeting called by this depart- 

 ment nearly all the distributers were represented. Each section of the law pertaining 



1o cantaloupes was -one over carefully and fi discussion was allowed until the 



subject was understood and an agreement reached. There were several reasons why 

 it semed necessary to have the snippers agree on (he method of inspection. One of 

 the main reasons was because of the difficulty in knowing a mature melon. The 

 act reads it shall be mature. Experienced melon men sometimes do not agree on a 

 melon being mature and are often mistaken upon the examination of it. therefore, 

 it is a difficult subject and most important to the industry. In order to handle the 

 "mature" subject it was agreed to pick all melons on the full slip; that is. when 

 (lie stem parts from lie' melon freely with a slight pressure of the thumb, leaving 

 a smooth cavity. This plan was used by most of the shippers throughout the entire 

 season. It is true that in many cases reports came back from the East "Melons 

 overripe," yet the prices held good. 



The most important fact about shipping melons too ripe is that by so doing one 

 can not deceive the public and the loser is the grower, but a green melon is the one 

 that does the damage as it gets into the hands of the consumer and is very 

 disappointing thereby lessening the demand and causing a poor market. The main 

 cause for trouble in picking green, not full-slip, melons lies in the fact that the stem 

 is broken off and the ripeness is judged by the looks. The pickers are apt to get 

 away from maturity and melons are brought into the packing sheds too green. 

 Picking and packing is done mostly by contract; naturally no one wants to lose, 



