APPLE GRADING LAWS. 



B. D. VAN BUREN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, 

 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ALBANY, NEW YORK. 



Why an Apple Grading Law? 



Because all commodities that are in general trade are handled 

 to a much better advantage in a large way if standardized, and 

 such standardization cannot be generally obtained in food 

 products except by some compulsory standard defined by law 

 and some body with authorized power to enforce such standard- 

 ization. 



The apple trade of many of the States is now one of the large 

 items of their agricultural income. 



The United States total apple production in 1918-19 was as 

 follows: in 1919, 49,152,000 barrels valued at $275,463,000; in 

 1918, 56,697,000 barrels valued at $225,562,000; approximately 

 7,535,000 barrels less in 1919, valued at $25,000,000 more. 



The commercial crop was estimated as follows: in 1919, 

 26,174,000 barrels valued at $154,950,000; in 1918, 24,743,000 

 barrels valued at $126,684,000. 



The difference between the commercial and total crop a. given 

 by government statistics would indicate that 23,000,000 barrels 

 of apples in the United States have been used for home con- 

 sumption or sold locally or used in by-products. It is esti- 

 mated that 9,830,000 barrels have gone into by-products, prin- 

 cipally cider, vinegar and dried apples. 



We, apple growers of the barreled apple States, are face to 

 face with a keen competition, which is cutting into our markets 

 for our best grades of apples to such an extent that we must 

 wake up and that quickly. 



I refer to the western box apple trade, — one of the great 

 reasons why we should have an apple grading law. Western 



