THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 345 



consequently many melons are likely to lie packed green. If there are plenty of 

 pickers to keep up with the packers it is possible to continue on the full slip, but 

 ir is difficult tn get pickers enough during the height of the season. 



One of the most important reasons for growers agreeing or cooperating is that 

 they might decide as to the disposition of melons that have been condemned on 

 account of not being fit for shipment. The law says they shall not be shipped, but 

 what shall be done with themV In the past there was trouble over the rejected 

 melons which were condemned by the inspector. The growers would sell them to 

 brokers on the street, who would ship them, thus causing damage to the market. 

 We agreed to hold them for 24 hours and then release to the grower. This plan was 

 not successful as the crates would be carried away in the night, and some parties 

 not connected with the industry even attempted to ship by express. It would be 

 impossible to retain rejected melons on the platform on account of lack of room. It 

 was finally agreed to turn over all condemned melons to a transfer man, who fed them 

 to hogs. It was further agreed that the head inspector of each shipping company 

 be appointed horticultural inspector, giving him authority to act under the state 

 law. All the cost of inspection in 1916 was paid by the distributers and the growers. 

 The law was put into operation on May 7, by condemning and destroying seven crates 

 of green melons. Orders wen- given the shippers that express shipments must be 

 on the platform in time to be inspected before the arrival of the train, or the same 

 would be held over. It was necessary to condemn many crates of melons in the 

 beginning of the season until some of the growers had learned the requirements. 

 There were nearly nine thousand crates condemned by the railroad platform 

 inspectors, to say nothing of the number thrown out by the field inspectors at the 

 packing sheds. 



The law of 1!>1. _ > has proven of great benefit and I am glad that the amendment 

 of 1017 has enlarged its scope and has given inspectors more authority and allows 

 closer inspection. I am in favor of enlarging it still more and taking in all the 

 products of the farm offered for sale anywhere in the state or shipped out of the 

 state. I am thankful for the improvement this year, but will be glad to have the 

 facts more plainly stated as to the requirement and disposition of condemned 

 products, also more complete definition of the word "maturity" in the shipment of 

 cantaloupes; at the same time allowing all products to be sold, or shipped that are 

 mature and fit for sale. I suggested to Mr. Ashley to add at the head of the bill 

 after "fresh fruits and all farm products, herein mentioned." other products from time 

 to time. I am pleased to note that tomatoes have been added. The great per cent of 

 producers and shippers know that it pays to put up a good pack, possessing 

 uniformity and maturity; but the other per cent "butt in" and make it necessary 

 for the inspectors to compel them to do likewise in order to keep a profitable market. 

 For the growers or producers it is a matter of education which sometimes has 

 to be paid for by dear experiences. In other words, the packers have to have a 

 direct loss by having a product condemned and destroyed before they learn this 

 lesson well. 



Before the season opened this year I called a meeting of the distributers and went 

 over the laws as amended, all present agreeing to pick on a full slip and abide by the 

 -ion of this department. It is very gratifying to note that this year's law states 

 that iiifl. ins shall be fully netted and of uniform size, firm and mature, free from 

 bruises and practically free from aphis honey dew or other defects. Even with the 

 increased acreage, with closer inspection, and shipping only first-class melons the 

 market will not be destroyed. Keeping all imperfect melons from being shipped 

 makes the market demands stronger, besides saving the cost of shipping inferior stuff 

 which ruins the market and causes a loss to the industry. 



I make tin' prediction that before long all products offered for sale or shipped 

 will be standardized. 



