128 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Al'l'I.K IXSPKCriOX. 



1 { K solid advantages which might accrue to Canadian fruit- 

 ;4ro\vers through a proper inspection of fruit intended for 

 export, has been twice discussed at meetings of our Asso- 

 ( iation. As things now are, it is impossible to sell for cash 

 t". o. b. to an English buyer, because he cannot be satisfied 

 of the quality and grade until the apples have crossed the 

 ocean and come under his personal inspection. In this way the Canadian 

 grower or shipper is entirely at the mercy of the English buyer, who has the 

 goods in charge. 



If it is possible to plan .some definite system of grading, so that a distant 

 buyer would know, from the mere mention of the grade, just what kind of stock 

 was being offered him, there is not the slightest doubt that apple growing in 

 Canada would be a much more remunerative occupation than it is ; for the 

 Canadian grower could sell for cash at his own home for the full value of his 

 stock, and a Canadian shipper would always know exactly what margin he was 

 allowing himself on any lots he was handling. 



By reference to our combined reports for the years 1890 and 1891, it will be 

 observed that this subject has been pretty fully discussed, and that a committee 

 was appointed to urge upon the Minister of Agriculture for the Dominion, the 

 importance of a systematic inspection and branding of Canadian apples for 

 export. We have drawn up an outline of the duties that would be expected of 

 such an inspector, and defined what would be understood as meant by grades 

 No. I and No. 2, expressing as nearly as possible the sense of our meeting on 

 the subject, and submitted it to the committee. As it soon may be presented 

 for consideration at Ottawa, we have thought best to publish the outlines of the 

 inspector's work, in order that the committee may have the benefit of criti- 

 cisms from anv of our readers. 



DUTIES OF THE DOMINION APPLE INSPECTOR. 



(1) To make head(iiiarter8 at the most important shipping part of the Dominion, pro 

 bably at Montreal, during the fall, and at Halifax during the winter months. 



(2) In the inspection of closed packages of ajjples, the inspector shall open out so many 

 of the packages, say, one in ten, less or more, as shall enable him to judge fairly of the 

 grade, and of the manner of packing. 



(.S) Upon satisfying himself of the grade, he shall apply his inspector's brand, marking 

 them "Canadian Apples, No. 1, inspected, " or No. '2, as the case may be. There should 

 be no No. '.i inspected ; any sucli stock going forward should go without the inspectors 

 brand. 



(4) The inspector shall have a special care to avoi<l branding any package, unless he is 

 satisfied that it is honestly packed through an<l through. He may refuse further atttution 

 U) any carload of apples, which he tinds faulty in this regard ; and the shipper of sucli car 

 load shall forfeit the privilege of having any furtlier attention from the inspector for the 

 current season. 



(')) The insjtecttjr shall hold himself in readiness to inspect all fruit within one or two 

 days after receiving notice, and engage a sutlicient number of assistants to accomplish the 

 work speedily, without rldaying the loading of a cargo. 



