4 MISC. PUBLICATION 604, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
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Figure 1.—The packing of fruits and vegetables in accordance with official standards, 
as done in this Florida citrus-packing house, is the first step required for orderly 
marketing and efficient buying and selling. 
mistakes. It assists them to obtain proper remuneration by requiring them to 
adopt more careful and effective methods of growing, packing, and marketing 
their produce and to eliminate waste in handling. 
ARTIFICIAL ICE AND THE REFRIGERATOR CAR CREATE NEED 
FOR STANDARDS 
The need for standards and a system of inspection became apparent after the 
introduction of artificial ice and the invention of the refrigerator car, which were 
of such great significance to the fruit and vegetable industry. Naturally, these 
developments meant a great shift in producing areas and rapid expansion in 
production. Until about 1890, most of the fresh fruits and vegetables were 
produced on high-priced lands close to the cities and large centers of population; 
but with the development of long-distance shipping, made possible through 
artificial ice and the refrigerator car, production shifted from this high-priced 
land to cheaper new lands. Sandy lands in the Southern Coastal Plain became 
potential fruit- and vegetable-growing areas. It was about this time also that 
California and the Northwest began to enter the field as competitors of other 
production sections. California soon came to be known for its citrus and other 
fruits as well as for a large variety of fresh vegetables. Idaho went heavily into 
the production of potatoes, and Washington, and Oregon engaged in the 
production of apples and pears. As time went on, other States became noted for 
the production of certain fruits and vegetables. 
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