THE MARKET FOR MASSACHUSETTS APPLES 27 



The causes of slack barrels are chiefly poor barrels, poor packing, 

 rough handling, and poor or over-ripe fruit. Fewer slacks appear in re- 

 frigerated fruit than in that which is shipped in ordinary stowage. 



The use of shredded paper is not advised by shippers, as the paper 

 can not be packed tightly enough to prevent shifting of the fruit, especially 

 if the paper becomes wet. It is better to put in more apples, shake them 

 carefully down, and press well. 



In general it seems to be true that there is greater waste and conse- 

 quently greater loss on barreled fruit. There is commonly less care in 

 packing barrels than when apples are packed in boxes; there is more dis- 

 honesty in the packing of barreled apples, and dishonesty is expensive. 



'For the British market packages should not be faced, according to the 

 advice of the foreign agents of the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture. Many British dealers feel that all facing is dishonest and pay lower 

 prices for packages so packed, even though the entire contents of the pack- 

 age are exactly the same as the apples on top. 



Spray Residue 



Growers who offer apples for export need to give special attention 

 to spray residue. English law forbids the sale of apples which show more 

 than 1/100 of a grain of arsenic per pound of apples. Fruit showing more 

 than this amount of arsenic is liable to exclusion from all English ports 

 or to seizure if landed. Apples which show spray residue should be care - 

 fully wiped before packing for any market, foreign or domestic. 



Brands 



Growers or dealers who export apples under a brand find it desirable 

 to register that brand with government officials in certain countries. In 

 Brazil and Argentina, in particular, this registration protects the exporter,, 

 giving him the sole right to distribute his product. Failure to register may 

 deprive him of this right, since any person, not necessarily the owner, may 

 register an unregistered brand. 



The costs of this registration vary. In Great Britain it costs about 

 $f^0.00; in Argentina from $65.00 to $85.00, and in Brazil from $75. OQ 

 to $90.00 



Instructions with regard to tlie methods of registering a brand may be 

 secured by addressing the United States Department of Commerce, Wash- 

 ington, D. C. 



Storage 



If apples are placed in cold storage in England, the costs are in- 

 creased by 10 cents to 13 cents a box, and 40 to 60 cents a barrel, for the 

 first month and about 14 cents each week thereafter. Handling charges 

 into storage vary in the different ports, but amount in Liverpool to 8 

 cents a barrel and 2.2 cents a box, and in London to about 20 cents a barrel 

 and 6 cents a box. 



