two years, and three for three years, and upon the expiration of
their terms, their successors shall serve tor three years (Code .1947
Supp. Art. 48, secs. 59F, 59G; Acts 1948 (sp. sess), Ch. 22). The
Board elects its own Chairman..

The Authority may make investigation and studies of any phase of
tobacco marketing or production in the State, provide information
relative to the tobacco price structure; and make recommendations
for legislation to provide more effective handling of tobacco, to fix
the marketing periods, and to assure the accuracy of weights and
measures used by tobacco commission selling agencies. The Authority
is further empowered to license commission agencies and purchasers.
The agency shall also collect a fee from the owner of tobacco sold at
a commission agency. The funds as collected shall be used by the
agency..

Appropriations: None.
Staff: 2..

MARYLAND STATE APPLE COMMISSION.

Chairman: John P. Caspar, 1949.

Joseph C. Harrison, 1952; Marshall T. Heaps, 1949; E.
Dwight McCain, 1950; Eugene W. Scott, 1950; W. Lee Allen,
1951; D. Eldred Rinehart, 1951..

Harold K. Smith, Secretary
Hancock Telephone: Hancock 18.

The Maryland State Apple Commission was created within the
State Board of Agriculture by the General Assembly of 1947. The
Commission of seven members is appointed by the Governor from a
list of fruit growers approved by the Executive Committee of the
Maryland State Horticulture Society. The terms of the members is
for four years, however, of the first group, one was appointed for
one year, two for two years, two for three years, and two for four
years. All successive appointments shall be for full four-year terms.
The purpose of the Commission is to raise funds for conducting pub-
licity and advertising, sales promotion, education, and research to
increase demands for, and consumption of, Maryland apples. All
apples of U. S. Number 1 Canner Grade or better, grown in Maryland
and sold in commercial trade are subject to a tax of one cent a
bushel; however, the first five hundred bushels sold by any producer
are tax-exempt. Commercial growers must report all apples sold
during the crop season by December 31 each year, apples sold after
the season shall be reported by the close of the following May. The
funds received by the Commission for these purposes are deposited
with the State Treasurer in a Merchandising Fund and none of this
money may be used for any other purpose (Code 1947 Supp. Art. 97
secs. 66-78)..

Publications: The Maryland Apple Merchandising Law, 1947.
Appropriations: None..

Special Fees: No record available at present date.
Staff: 1..