146 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



INTERPRETATION OF THE NET WEIGHT REGULATIONS 

 FOR MARKING PACKAGES OF HONEY/ 



DR. BURTON N. GATES, STATE INSPECTOR OF APIARIES, MASSACHUSETTS 

 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE, CO-OPERATING WITH THE UNITED 

 STATES DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE, 



With the increased sale of honey produced in Massachusetts 

 and sold locally, as well as the general increased use of and 

 trade in honey, inquiries arise as to the proper " net- weighing " 

 of the sections and packages. An interpretation of the regula- 

 tions applicable to the needs of beekeepers based on the 

 statements contained in Bulletin No. 6 of the Massachusetts 

 Department of Weights and Measures, and approved by that 

 department, is presented for the convenience of the beekeepers. 

 Further and more detailed information may be had from the 

 above department. State House, Boston. It should be borne in 

 mind, however, that honey sold in Massachusetts, locally or 

 otherwise, should be sold in conformity to these regulations. 

 Interstate trade in honey is similarly governed. 



General Statement. 

 In general, the regulations require the plain and conspicuous 

 marking of the net weight (or volume) of honey on all pack- 

 ages, bottles or other containers to be sold locally where pro- 

 duced or packed for general Massachusetts or interstate trade.^ 

 It is considered that "packages are containers [including sec- 

 tion boxes] of definite and approximately uniform size or 

 quantity of contents, which serve as units of quantity for the 

 purpose of invoice or sale." (Exception: Packages or con- 



1 Approved by Massachusetts Department of Weights and Measures, Aug. 31, 1917. 

 ' The regulations are under the jurisdiction of the so-called "national net-weight law" and 

 Massachusetts statutes, chapter 653, Acts of 1914. 



