STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73 



and see the markets of the world discriminate against her simply 

 because of her inertia? 



STATE REGULATION. 



A brief resume of the provisions of the much talked of "Fruit 

 Marks Act" of Canada may not be out of place in this connec- 

 tion. The act, as passed in 1901 and amended the following 

 year, provides : 



( 1 ) That the face of all fruit packages must fairly represent 

 the fruit throughout. 



(2) Closed boxes and barrels must be marked with the name 

 and address of the packer, the variety of fruit, and its grade. 



(3) It is an offense, within the meaning of the act, to dispose 

 of, or have in possession for sale, fraudulently packed or marked 

 fruit even when buyer and seller are ignorant of the fact. 



(4) The act provides that No. 1 or XXX fruit "shall consist 

 of well-grown specimens of one variety, sound, of nearly uniform 

 size, of good color for the variety, of normal shape and not less 

 than 90 per cent free from scab, worm holes, bruises and other 

 defects, and properly packed," but does not prevent the packing 

 or selling of any grade that is properly marked. There is no 

 definition of grades marked "No. 2" or "XX" and "No. 3" 

 or "X." 



(5) Commission merchants who, after notice, handle fruit 

 put up contrary to law will be prosecuted ; but the act makes no 

 provision for the inspection of particular lots at the "request of 

 buyer or seller." 



The penalty for a violation of the law, with reference to pack- 

 ing and marking, is not less than 25 cents nor more than $1.00 

 per package ; for removing an inspector's brand, $40.00 ; for 

 obstructing an inspector, $25 to $500 ; the fines being equally 

 divided between the informant and the government. Merchants 

 are held responsible for the fruit in their hands, but in every 

 case the original offender is prosecuted if found. 



The beneficial effects of this law are already being felt across 

 the border, and it can but result in giving a tremendous impetus 

 to the fruit industry of the Dominion. Shall Maine lead in a 

 similar movement in our own country? Is it not within the 

 province of this society to go before the State Legislature at its 

 next session and urge the passage of some measure which shall 



