278 THE APPLE 



When the barrels are packed with apples of practically perfect quality from 

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



In a similar manner the third grade may be branded Standard Grade, mini- 

 mum size 2 inches, when it contains apples of practically perfect quality from 

 2 inches up. 



The effect of this bill will be to give confidence to the purchaser ; 

 to increase the demand for apples ; to raise the price because of 

 the increased demand ; and to stimulate the exporting of apples 

 to Europe and South America, which is a pressing need in view of 

 the fact that the export trade in American apples has been steadily 

 falling off for the last five years. Canada has a standardization act 

 regarding apples which has been in existence five years, and the 

 Canadian exports have grown steadily and have given increasing 

 satisfaction, while the American apples have become a source of 

 general complaint to all European consumers. 



As already explained, the Sulzer Bill permits the use of United 

 States brands for apples that are packed in accordance with its pro- 

 visions. It will not be long, however, before the retailers through- 

 out the country will understand the distinction between the standard 

 United States pack of apples and the ordinary pack, known as the 

 "farmer's" pack, and will pay a premium of from 25 cents to $2.25 

 for the assurance that the apples they are about to buy have the 

 government guaranty behind them, and are packed true to the 

 promise of the face that is opened before them. There is a gen- 

 eral opinion that apples are worth about one price. We speak of 

 the " going price " of apples, or what apples are worth, but, as a 

 matter of fact, every grade of every variety in almost every orchard 

 has a different value and sells for a different price on the market. 

 Northern Spies of first quality from Vermont have sold all the 

 way from $2.50 to $14.00 per barrel, and there is one Vermont 

 orchard that for years has maintained, regardless of market condi- 

 tions, a selling value of $12.00 per barrel for its highest grade, 

 which are really all facers ; $8.00 per barrel for the No. i's, which 

 are packed in accordance with the first provision of the Sulzer bill ; 

 and from $3.50 to $4.00 for the No. 2 apples. 



The Sulzer Bill is, after all, very elementary and not compulsory. 

 It only establishes by law what was supposed already to be the cus- 

 tom in the packing and grading of apples throughout the country. 



