64 UNITED STATES - AGRICUr,TURAE ECONOMY IN GENERAIy 



ling of this product also. I/)sses were found to result on a failure carefully 

 to select the melons for size and quaHty, on loose and unattractive packing 

 and on the use of receptacles of haphazard sizes and shapes. Studies of 

 the marketing of berries, peaches and other perishable products have fur- 

 ther emphasized the general need for standardization. 



In studying the problems of standardization involved in the market- 

 ing of these perishable products the office has also gathered information 

 as to the methods in which they are solved in various places. A bulletin 

 as to this phase of marketing canteloupes has been issued, and bulletins 

 on grading, packing and transporting other fruits and vegetables will fol- 

 low. The office is also compiling a digest of vState laws on standardization 

 and on the weights and measures used in marketing. 



It is believed that co-operative associations may be reUed upon as im- 

 portant factors in bringing about a general adoption of standards for sup- 

 plies and methods in marketing. Such organization can extend uniform 

 practices over important provinces, and standardization on a larger scale 

 can be effected through national organizations. 



§ 2. The cai^ifornian act of 1915 as to the fruit trade. 



State and Federal legislation have to some extent appHed the prin- 

 ciples discovered and brought forward b}^ the Office of Markets and Rural 

 Organization, principles accepted alike by producers, dealers and consu- 

 mers. 



In 1912 Congress established a standard barrel to be used for apples 

 in inter-State commerce. On 4 March 191 5 Congress passed an Act, 

 which had force from i July 1916, to fix a standard barrel for fruits, vege- 

 tables and other dry commodities ; and on 31 August 1916 a third Act, 

 which has force from i November 1917, fixed standards for " CHmax " 

 baskets for grapes and other fruits and vegetables, and fixed standards 

 for baskets and other containers for small fruits, berries and vegetables. 



Further on 12 March 1915 an Act was passed in Delaware which amend- 

 ed chapter 21 of the vState's revised code by provisions regulating the grad- 

 ing, packing, marking, transport and sale of apples. In California on 

 10 June 1915 the legislature passed an Act " to establish a standard for 

 the packing in the State of California of the kinds of fresh fruit specified 

 in this Act, for sale or for transportation for sale, for interstate and foreign 

 shipment, and to prevent deception in the packing ; also to establish a 

 system of inspection for the same ". On i May 1915 the Pennsylvanian 

 legislature passed an Act " regulating the sale, offering for sale or exposing 

 for sale of vegetables, grapes and fruits ; providing standard containers — 

 baskets and trays — therefor ; and imposing penalties. " 



a) The Provisions of the Law. — We will examine in more detail 

 the CaUfornian Act. It has been possible to observe its working for a year, 

 and owing to the importance of frriit gro\\dng in CaUfornia it has been the 

 subject of much discussion. 



