GRADING 277 



demand for apples might increase with the production, that the 

 Apple Shippers' Association a few years ago drafted the first 

 standardization measure regarding the packing and grading of 

 apples. Gradually, various horticultural societies gave their sup- 

 port, and to-day the national law establishing standards for the 

 marketing of apples, known as the Sulzer Bill, is proof that growers 

 everywhere appreciated the need of such fixed standards. 



This law is not mandatory ; it does not compel any grower to 

 pack his apples in a different way from that in which he is accus- 

 tomed to pack them ; it does not compel honesty, nor can it com- 

 pel intelligence. The Sulzer law is educational in its nature, and 

 holds out rewards for better packing and grading. It establishes a 

 definition of standard apples. It provides that such standard apples 

 may be packed in three grades, differing from each other only as 

 to size. It provides and defines the capacity of a standard barrel, 

 and states that when the standard grade defined by the law shall 

 be packed in the standard barrel defined by the law, the grower 

 may then use certain United States brands to designate the three 

 grades of his apples. The law also provides that, in case any grower 

 shall use these United States brands on barrels not packed in 

 accordance with the law, certain penalties shall attach, and may 

 be collected from the one responsible for the deception. 



The law secures to the honest packer the results of his packing. 

 It enables him to use certain brands to designate his methods of 

 packing which the fraudulent grower may not use except by mak- 

 ing himself liable to the penalty laid down by the Federal govern- 

 ment. The standard quality of apples as provided by this law is 

 as follows : 



Apples of one variety, well-grown specimens, hand-picked, of good color for 

 the variety, normal shape, practically free from insect or fungus injury, bruises, 

 and other defects, shall be the standard quality. An allowance of 1 o per cent 

 leeway is made to any grower in the packing of this quality. This quality may 

 be packed into three grades, as follows : 



From 2^ inches up, first grade. 



From 2I inches up, second grade. 



From 2 inches up, third grade. 



The brands shall be as follows : 



When the apples are practically perfect in quality and packed from z\ inches 

 up, the barrel may be branded Standard Grade, minimum size 2^ inches. 



