923 
The Auction System of Selling Apples. 
I do not like the attacks made on Mr. Dillon by the 
“Chicago Packer"’ and other trade papers; would like 
to see you hit them back. H. b. w. 
These trade papers have just two “principles” of 
journalism—in toadying to the people who feed them and 
violent abuse for anyone who suggests any marketing 
reform. In private these papers all admit that the 
present marketing system is full of graft and extra¬ 
vagance, yet they never suggest any improvement. Mr. 
Dillon, as Commissioner of Foods and Markets, is or¬ 
ganizing an auction system for selling New York ap¬ 
ples. If, as these trade papers claim, this plan is fool¬ 
ish and sure to fail, they would not fight it or abuse 
the author. When they print columns of abuse and so- 
called “argument” against the plan, everybody knows 
they realize that if the producers back this auction 
system, the days of graft and robbery through secret 
price-making are numbered. If they were wise they 
would keep quiet, for their abuse is just the thing 
needed to make the producers understand the situa¬ 
tion. It is an open secret that experienced men in the 
trade believe the auction market will be successful if 
once fairly tried out on the plans suggested by the De¬ 
partment. The actual cost of selling at auction is 
less than half the cost of private transactions. Of 
course these trade papers know that with the auction 
sales there would be no fictitious cartage charges 
against the shipper. They know too that the actual 
prices of sales will be published daily, and the man on 
the farm selling apples will have the same information 
as the speculator buying apples. Under the present 
system, they know that the buyer has all the inside in¬ 
formation and the grower is continually guessing. 
These trade papers pretend that since apple retail con¬ 
sumers have been obliged to get their supplies through 
speculators in the past and pay several profits on them, 
they will refuse to buy first hand, and will insist on 
buying from the speculators or not at all. If they be¬ 
lieved any such thing they would not lose any energy 
over the new plan. But they know that the producer 
has the power in his own hands to remove the specu¬ 
lation and abuses in the apple market. This auction 
system, if given a fair trial, will put the growers in 
possession of the means to exercise their own power, so 
as to make the sale of apples a business for farmers 
instead of a bonanza for speculators. Fortunately the 
now plan does not depend for its success on commission 
men or speculators, nor on their trade papers. It de¬ 
pends on the apple growers themselves. Give the auc¬ 
tion 50 per cent, of the apples sold in New York for 
three months and there would never again be any more 
private secret sales of apples, and fraudulent cartage 
charges. A much smaller percentage of the sales will 
establish a minimum price. No commission man will 
dare return his shipper less than the auction price for 
the day. This is the first opportunity apple growers 
have ever had to get into the New York market with 
assurances of a square deal, and information to show 
that the deal is square. The more apples they pledge 
the greater their success. Every shipping point should 
organize an apple-shipping club and appoint a secre¬ 
tary to correspond with the Department of Foods and 
Markets and arrange to make shipments at proper 
times to the auction market. The Department invites 
correspondence from anyone interested and ready to 
take a hand in the sale of his own apples. 
The New York Apple-grading Law. 
The Legislature at its last session amended the New 
York Apple Grading law. Many apple growers have 
asked for a discussion of this law as it now stands, so 
we print herewith a copy of the amended law. This 
will be followed by explanation and discussion by New 
York growers: 
CHAPTER 217. 
AN ACT to amend the agricultural law, in relation 
to apples. 
The standard grades or classes for apples grown in 
this State when packed in closed packages shall be as 
follows: 
First: “New York standard fancy grade” shall con¬ 
sist of apples of one variety, which are well grown 
specimens, hand-picked, properly packed, of good color 
for the variety, normal shape, free from dirt, disease, 
insect and fungus injury, bruises and other defects ex¬ 
cept such as are necessarily caused in the operation of 
packing; or apples of one variety which are not more 
than five per centum below the foregoing specifications 
on a combination of all defects or two per centum on 
any single defect. 
Second: “New York standard A grade” shall consist 
of apples of one variety which are well grown speci¬ 
mens, hand-picked, properly packed, normal shape, 
practically free from dirt, disease, insect and fungus 
injury, bruises and other defects except such as are 
necessarily caused in the operation of packing; or ap¬ 
ples of one variety which are not more than ten per 
centum below the foregoing specifications on a combin¬ 
ation of all defects or five per centum on any single 
defect. No apples in this grade shall show less than 
thirty-three and one-third per centum of good color for 
the variety. 
Third: “New York standard B grade” shall consist 
of apples of one variety which are well matured, hand¬ 
picked, properly packed, practically normal shape, 
practically free from dirt, diseases, insect and fungus 
injury ; or apples of one variety which are not more 
than fifteen per centum below the foregoing specifica¬ 
tions on a combination of all defects or five per centum 
on any single defect. 
Fourth : “Ungraded.” Apples not conforming to the 
foregoing specifications of grade, or, if conforming, are 
not branded in accordance therewith, shall be classed 
as ungraded and so branded. The minimum size of the 
fruit in the package shall also be branded upon it as 
hereinafter specified and in addition to the other marks 
hereinafter required. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
The marks indicating grade as above prescribed may 
be accompanied by any other designation of grade or 
brand if that designation or brand is not inconsistent 
with or marked more conspicuously than the one of the 
said four marks which is used on the said package. 
Apples packed and branded in accordance with the 
United States law approved August third, nineteen 
hundred and twelve, shall be exempt from the pro¬ 
visions of this act. 
. The minimum size of the fruit in all classes or grades, 
including the ungraded, shall be determined by taking 
the transverse diameter of the smallest fruit in the 
package at right angles to the stem and blossom end. 
Minimum sizes shall be stated in variations of one- 
quarter of an inch, like two inches, two and one-quarter 
inches, two and one-half inches, two and three-quarter 
inches, three inches, three and one-quarter inches, and 
so on, in accordance with the facts. 
Minimum sizes may be designated by figures instead 
of words. The word “minimum” may be designated by 
using the abbreviation “min.” 
A tolerance or variation of five per centum on size 
shall be allowed in all classes, but such five per centum 
shall not be in addition to the variation or tolerances 
for defects provided in grades “Fancy,” “A” and “B.” 
(A) Every closed package containing apples grown 
in the State of New York which is sold, offered or ex¬ 
posed for sale, or packed for sale, or transported for 
sale by any person shall bear upon the outside of one 
end in plain letters and figures the name and address of 
the packer or the person by whose authority the apples 
were packed and the package marked, the true name 
of the variety, the grade or class of the apple therein 
contained and the minimum size of the fruit in the 
packages. If the true name of the variety shall not be 
known to the packer or the person by whose authority 
the package is packed or branded, then such variety 
shall be designated as “unknown.” Every package of 
apples which is repacked shall bear the name and ad¬ 
dress of the repacker or the name of the person by 
whose authority it is repacked in place of that of the 
original packer. 
(B) The marks or brands as prescribed by this act 
shall be in block letters and figures of size of not less 
than thirty-six point Gothic. 
(C) It shall be unlawful for any person within the 
State to sell, offer or expose for sale, or pack for sale, 
or transport for sale apples which are adulterated or 
misbranded within the meaning of this act. 
(D) For the purpose of this act apples packed in 
a closed package shall be deemed to be misbranded. 
First. If the package shall fail to bear the state¬ 
ments required by this act. 
Second. If the package shall be falsely branded or 
shall bear any statement, design or device regarding 
such apples which is false or misleading, or if the pack¬ 
age bears any statement, design, or device, indicating 
that the apples contained therein are a given New 
York “standard grade” and said apples when packed 
or repacked do not conform to the requirements of 
such grade. 
(E) For the purposes of this act apples packed in 
closed packages shall be deemed to be adulterated if 
their quality or grade when packed or repacked does 
not conform to the marks upon the package. 
(F) Any person who misbrands or adulterates apples 
within the meaning of this act, or who violates any of 
the provisions of this act shall, upon conviction there¬ 
of, forfeit and pay to the people of the State of New 
lork a sum of not less than twenty-five dollars nor 
more than fifty dollars for the first violation and not 
less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dol- 
las for each subsequent violation. 
(G) No person shall be prosecuted under the pro¬ 
visions of this act when he can establish satisfactory 
evidence to the effect that he was not a party to the 
packing and grading of such articles and had no knowl¬ 
edge that the same were misbranded or illegally packed, 
or when he can establish a guaranty, signed by the per¬ 
son from whom he received such articles, to the effect 
that the same are not adulterated or misbranded within 
the meaning of this act. Said guaranty, or said satis¬ 
factory evidence, to afford protection, shall contain the 
true name and address of the party or parties from 
whom said articles were received, or who made the sale 
or shipment of such articles to such person. 
(H) Definitions. The word “person” as used herein 
shall be construed to include both the singular and 
plural, individuals, corporations, copartnerships, com¬ 
panies, societies and associations. The act, omission 
oi failure of any officer, agent, servant or employee 
acting within the scope of his employment or office 
shall be deemed the act, omission or failure of the prin¬ 
cipal The words “closed package” shall mean a box, 
barrel or other package, the contents of which cannot 
be seen or inspected when such package is closed. 
(I) No person shall on behalf of any other person 
pack any apples for sale or transportation contrary to 
the provisions of this act 
(J) This act shall not apply to apples actually trans¬ 
ported in barrels to storage within this State until the 
same are sold, offered or exposed for sale, packed for 
sale, or transported for sale. Regulations and require¬ 
ments herein in relation to transportation shall not 
apply to common carriers. 
Sec. 2. Chapter four hundred and eighteen of the 
laws of nineteen hundred and fourteen, entitled “An act 
to regulate the grading, packing, marking, shipping and 
sale of apples, is hereby repealed. 
Sec. 3. This act shall take effect July first, nine¬ 
teen hundred and fifteen. 
New York State News. 
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT MATTERS.— 
According to reports from Albany six employes of 
the Agricultural Department have lost their jobs, the 
largest loser” being Marc W. Cole, organizer of co- 
operative societies, whose salary was $30,000. The reason 
given for this removal is the lack of appropriations for 
that bureau. Dr. J. F. DeVine of Goshen is another, 
lie was consulting veterinarian and drew $10 a day 
when employed. Three veal inspectors also were 
dropped on the ground that their services were not 
needed and their work will be done by other employes 
ot the department. Samuel Cohn has been employed 
as an assistant to the chief veterinarian and classified 
as a laborer at $60 a month. He has been helping in 
the foot and mouth outbreak and in other capacities 
but has been allowed to go. The State civil service 
commission has ruled that laborers must be employed 
at manual labor and not as clerks. Ray Smith of Scho¬ 
harie County has been named as department detective 
at a salary of $1,500 a year, by Commissioner Wilson. 
COMPENSATION FUND.—The first year of the 
workmen’s compensation act closed on July 1, and the 
report shows that the State fund has a financial 
strength of nearly $1,000,000 in cash and investments 
after paying all losses to that date. More than 7,S00 
employes were insured, representing semi-annual pre¬ 
miums of $750,000. The financial strength of the 
State fund for the first nine months showed a surplus 
accruing to policy holders of $307,452, amounting to 
30 per cent, of the earned premiums. This surplus 
will be distributed in dividends and was earned after 
paying all losses and setting up loss reserves of $477,- 
592, and a catastrophe fund of $34,114. 
DEHYD RA TED ONIONS.—A new industry is de¬ 
veloping in Wayne County—that of the dehydration of 
onions on a large scale. The Webster Dehydrating 
Corporation lias boon formed and a contract has been 
secured, it is said, with the U. S. Navy for the evap¬ 
orated onions which are to be packed in sealed can¬ 
isters to withstand the effects of sea transportation. It 
is also said that this and similar concerns are going 
to prepare this product for the armies of the Allies in 
Europe. The dried product readily takes on the ap¬ 
pearance of the natural vegetable when immersed in 
cold water, and all essential oils and flavors are re¬ 
tained. 
STATE GRANGE MATTERS.—State Master W. 
H. \ ary reports Grange work throughout the State 
progressing finely. National Master Wilson is to be in 
the State in August, his first appointment being at 
Batavia on August 3. A new Grange hall is being 
erected at M illiamson, the State Master assisting in 
laying the cornerstone a short time ago. This hall will 
cost about $15,000. He also dedicated a new Grange 
hall at Elkdale, Cattaraugus County, last month. 
HOP GROWERS FIGHT PESTS.—The Hop 
Orowers Association of Otsego County has secured the 
services of representatives of Cornell to advise growers 
as to insects and the general care of the vines. Prof. 
Blodgett is cooperating from Ithaca, making frequent 
trips to Cooperstown and vicinity, as occasion demands. 
J>iue mold has made its appearance. The membership 
ot the association represents about 500 acres of hops. 
An assessment of 00 cents an acre had been levied to 
carry on the work this season. 
SHEEP BREEDERS OF OTSEGO.—Sheep breed¬ 
ers and wool growers of Otsego County who are mem- 
bers of the Otsego Sheep Breeders’ Association have 
sold their wool crop at a nice figure this year. A com¬ 
mittee was appointed to sell the entire crop of members 
at auction, and about 8,000 pounds was sold to Chas. 
I albott and Son of Binghamton at the price of 36 
cents a pound. The previous high price offered by buy¬ 
ers was 27 cents. 
BERKSHIRE INDUSTRIAL FARM.—At the an¬ 
nual meeting of the Berkshire Industrial Farm at 
Canaan, N. 1., a gift of $10,000 was announced from 
Mrs. William D. Sloane of Lenox, Mass., with which 
to build a cottage for 30 boys. The speaker of the 
day at the Commencement” exercises was Dr. John 
Huston Finley, Commissioner of Education, of Albany 
Iwenty-one diplomas were distributed to the boys. 
1 here are almost 100 boys on the farm now who are 
sent there on commitment of the juvenile courts or bv 
personal surrender. There is a regular public school 
course as well as vocational training in agriculture, and 
the mechanic arts. It is doing a fine work. 
sunoijAKSHIPiS.—The 
names of the winners of the State Grange scholarships 
to Cornell University have been announced and they 
are as follows: Francis S. Widrig, Mannsville, Jeffer- 
son County ; Loran N. Baker, Springfield, Erie Coun- 
ty, E. R. barley, Campbell Hall, Orange County; An- 
na Agnew, Mayfield Fulton County; G. E. Kampsell, 
Hannibal, Oswego County; Edward M. Dunne, East 
Chatham, Columbia County; Julia F. Brady, Schene- 
vus, Otsego County; Martha Morse, Halcottville, Hal- 
cott Center, Otsego County; Morton J. Scudder, Hal- 
( a°i^ May Mills, Brockport, Monroe County; 
Abtam L. Bergh, Middleburg, Schoharie County; Caro¬ 
line Smith, Clifton Springs, Ontario County. The 
committee of awards consisted of State Master W II 
Vary, State Secretary W. N. Giles, and Prof. G* A* 
Works. j. w . a " 
Maine Potato Crop. 
Maine potato growers are not discouraged over the 
low price of potatoes the past season. The government 
has been making a rigid investigation hoping to improve 
the conditions. I he Department of Agriculture is get¬ 
ting the acreage planted throughout Maine, also the 
acreage planted in 1914, this is largely for the use and 
benefit of potato growers, and it is hoped that the 
tanners will assist the department. There are a "Teat 
many suggestions in regard to the establishment of 
greater care in handling potatoes from grower to 
wholesaler, but nothing has been effective. The gov¬ 
ernment has taken a little more interest this year 
lhe acreage planted this year will be much less than 
last year in potatoes and more grain will be seen in 
Maine this year than previous years, due to the small 
pi ices obtained last season on the potato crop. 
W. H. B. 
Canadian Fruit Report. 
,, Dominion _ Department of Agriculture reports 
that in the maritime provinces there has been no frost 
injury, lhe weather was favorable during the bloom¬ 
ing period but has since been dull and wet—suitable 
for fungus development. British Columbia has had an 
abundance of rain. Western Ontario suffered from 
frost and early drought, but conditions have improved 
recently. The Ontario apple crop will be much less 
than last year, British Columbia slightly less, and 
JNova Scotia considerably more, though the early es¬ 
timates for the Annapolis \ alley were excessive It 
“ay beJlO per cent, above last year but will not reach 
2,000,000 barrels. 
The pear crop in the Niagara Peninsula will be light 
owing to heavy dropping. Western Ontario will have 
about 50 per cent, of a standard yield, Nova Scotia a 
light ciop, and British Columbia 25 per cent. more. 
In the Niagara section peaches suffered less from 
frost than any other fruit. There will be a large crop 
with early varieties best. Norfolk County will have 
none and Lamberton County about 70 per cent, of 1913 
British Columbia will have a large crop at all points 
in rm e Okanagan 1 alley, Crawfords especially heavy. 
Ike frost of May 2< reduced the Niagara grape crop 
about 2o per cent. The most serious damage was done 
around St. Catharines and east to St. Davids, Virgil 
Niagara balls, and Stamford, some vineyards beiii"’ 
completely killed. 
Household ammonia for mosquito bites—but whv 
mosquitoes, unless you are near undrained swamps or 
pond holes. These pests cannot breed except in stag¬ 
nant water. 
