MUST HAVE STANDARD PACKAGES 



Fruit growers and representatives from the 

 manufacturers of fruit packages met and dis- 

 cussed matters pertaining to sizes and shapes 

 of packages at the annual meeting of the On- 

 tario Fruit Growers' Association held in To- 

 ronto on November 16. Those present were 

 unanimous in the opinion that standard sizes 

 and standard shapes should be adopted. The 

 growers appointed a committee to meet the 

 manufacturers so that the matter may be 

 brought before the authorities. 



It was evident, from the discussion, that 

 neither the manufacturers nor the growers 

 knew the dimensions of what is termed the On- 

 tario apple barrel. It was also clear that each 

 manufacturer of baskets makes a basket to 

 suit his customers. 



In opening the case for the growers, Mr. 

 Robert Thompson, of St. Catharines, said that 

 the 11-quart basket had given satisfaction, but 

 suggested that the six-and-two-thirds quart 

 basket be discarded and a half basket or 

 one with five-and-a-half quart capacity be used 

 in its stead. He claimed that the six-and-two- 

 thirds quart basket is not generally made now 

 because it does not sell for more than a half 

 basket. For that reason smaller sizes are 

 used. The present carriers for tender fruits 

 are not satisfactory, and the pear package re- 

 quires to be improved. Standard dimensions 

 are wanted for each size because, when only 

 size is mentioned, each manufacturer prepares 

 a last to suit, and perhaps no two makers turn 

 out packages similar in shape. The length, 

 depth and width at top and bottom must be 

 made imperative. It was also suggested by 

 Mr. Thompson that the 96-quart barrel, with 

 28% inch stave, should be adopted in place of 

 the larger barrels now used in Ontario. 



Mr. James Innes, barrel manufacturer of 

 Chatham, said that New York growers had 

 shipped pears successfully in a keg with 17^/4 

 inch staves and 14 inch head. With regard to 

 the apple barrel it was explained that staves 

 that were not good enough to make flour bar- 

 rels could be used in the manufacture of apple 

 barrels. This is the chief reason why manu- 

 facturers turn out so many 30 inch barrels. 

 These, however, can be cut down to the 28% 

 inch size. 



It was pointed out by Mr. A. E. Sherrington, 

 of Walkerton, that the people in Great Britain 

 know the Ontario barrel to be larger than the 

 one used in Nova Scotia, and willingly pay 

 more for it. The merchants across the water 

 had informed him that the size should not be 

 changed. 



A basket manufacturer said it was advisable 

 to have a uniform size, shape, and make 

 throughout Canada, but that steps should be 

 taken, also, to prevent other sizes and shapes 

 being imported. Another said that there 

 should be common sizes, and that if any other 

 size were made the capacity and dimensions 

 should be plainly stamped on the outside of 

 each package. Mr. Everest suggested that in- 

 spectors be appointed to see that the law is 

 lived up to. He thought that in most cases 

 the producer was to blame for the various 

 sizes now used. This statement was challeng- 

 ed by Major Jas. Shepherd, of Queenston, who 

 claimed that manufacturers; go around offer- 

 ing the smaller baskets to the producers at 

 easy prices. 



It was pointed out by Mr. Geo. Williams, of 

 Thorold, that, as the manufacturers have vari- 

 ous dimensions for the different sizes now in 

 use, samples from the factories should be sub- 

 mitted to the growers. A committee could 

 then decide on the most satisfactory dimen- 

 sions. It entails considerable expense to 

 change the last on which the baskets are made. 

 The one that looks best and packs to best ad- 

 vantage in a car should be adopted. 



Dairy Commissioner J. A. Ruddick pointed 

 out that something definite must be laid before 

 the Dominion Parliament and suggested that 

 a committee be appointed to prepare a definite 

 request that can be fui'ther discussed at the 

 Dominion Fruit Growers' Conference that will 

 meet in February. 



A committee comprising Messrs. Robert 

 Thompson, A. W. Peart, D. Johnson and W. D. 

 A. Ross later conferred with the manufactur- 

 ers of packages and it was arranged that the 

 manufacturers should submit samples, so that 

 the committee may select the one that suits 

 best and present their report at the conference 

 in Ottawa in February. 



Vegetable Growers Before Tariff Commission 



(Concluded from page 481.) 



2. The American tariff on vegetables imported 

 from Canada into the United States is almost 

 prohibitive, carrying both specific and ad 

 valorem duties; the American climate enables 

 the American market gardeners, in advance of 

 our own, to cultivate vegetables in the open 

 fields, at an extremely low rate of wages, and 

 when the United States markets are sufficient- 

 ly supplied the surplus stock of garden produce 

 is shipped into this country and dumped on our 

 markets on payment of such an insignificant 

 duty that the competition caused to our garden- 

 ers is in many instances ruinous. The injus- 

 tice of the situation is increased by the fact 

 that the United States markets are practically 

 closed against Canadian growers. 



3. Such American garden produce arriving at 

 Montreal and Toronto in large quantities, be- 

 ing the surplus stock of the United States mar- 

 kets, and on account of its perishable charac- 

 ter, valued at extremely low price, and subject 

 to an insignificant duty, is acquired at very in- 

 ferior prices by Ontario importers and unex- 

 pectedly thrown on our markets, glutting the 

 said markets and causing great loss and dam- 

 age to our farmers and gardeners. 



4. As a result of this wholesale, indiscrimi- 

 nate and unregulated importation of American 

 produce, the Canadian markets are filled with 

 foreign vegetables long before our crops are 

 ready for sale, and all early vegetables culti- 

 vated in Canada are liable to fluctuation and 

 falls in value of such extent and uncertainty 

 as to discourage market gardening in Canada. 



5. Not only have very large amounts been in- 



487 



