The primary object of the Massachusetts Apple Grading Law 

 is a bigger and more profitable orchard industry, based mainly 

 on securing more uniform and stable prices for the product. 

 This can be done only by the adoption of grading and marking 

 standards, so that the purchaser may be sure he is getting what 

 he pays for. The means in attaining this object is education 

 through publication, demonstration and inspection. 



The publication and distribution of this circular of informa- 

 tion was the first step in this direction. It seeks to answer every 

 query concerning standard closed packages, standard grades 

 and marks or brands required to be used on closed packages. 

 Correspondence concerning, and discussion of, points not cov- 

 ered are solicited. 



Appended to this circular are the texts of the United States 

 Standard Barrel Law, the United States Apple Grading Law 

 and the Massachusetts Apple Grading Law. The regulations 

 authorized by sections 6 and 11 of the last-named law will be 

 found in the body matter of the following pages. 



UNITED STATES STANDARD BARREL LAW. 



The Federal Standard Barrel Law fixes a standard for the 

 barrel just as standards for the quart, peck or bushel are fixed 

 by law. The specifications coincide with those of the Massa- 

 chusetts standard barrel. This law states that no barrel of less 

 capacity (7,056 cubic inches) than the standard barrel, and 

 containing fruits or vegetables or any other dry commodity, 

 shall be sold, offered or exposed for sale in any State, territory 

 or the District of Columbia, or shipped from any State, terri- 

 tory or the District of Columbia to any other State, territory 

 or the District of Columbia, or to a foreign country. The use 

 of third, half and three-quarter barrels, and reasonable varia- 

 tions and tolerances to be established by rules and regulations 

 of the Federal Bureau of Standards, are permissible. These 

 rules and regulations have not yet been published. The Stand- 

 ard Barrel Law went into effect July 1, 1916. 



