90 STATE P0M0L0GICAL SOCIETY. 



and quality are in the balance and unite in emphasizing the neces- 

 sity for preserving the life of the leaf to the full harvest time. 

 Whether on the peach trees of Massachusetts, the apple trees of 

 the Annapolis valley, or the potato, cucumber, squash, tomato 

 and other vegetable crops of Maine, the testimony born of experi- 

 ence is positive against arsenic and in favor of a non-poisonous 

 agent, and that evidence is presented in such a manner as to reach 

 directly the heart of the grower and lead to his conversion, for 

 it touches his pocketbook and comes in the form of larger yield 

 and finer quality. 



I do not stand here to discuss an experiment or advertise in any 

 way the preparation of any corporation or the use of any special 

 drug, but to emphasize an all-important fact, for with the growing 

 importance attaching tq_spraying there comes the necessity for 

 solutions absolutely harmless to use yet destructive to the pests 

 which attack the fruit and growing crops. 



It gives me great pleasure to be able to state that our able, 

 conscientious horticulturist at the experiment station, Prof. 

 Munson, is already at work upon this problem, seeking for such 

 combination as will insure perfect freedom from danger and 

 promote the life, growth and health of tree and plant. I am not 

 an alarmist in any sense, but call attention to this question because 

 of its grave importance and the fact that the public mind is 

 becoming distressed over the question of food adulterations, the 

 use of preservatives which prevent digestion, and the danger to 

 health lurking in the agents relied on to destroy insect pests. We 

 cannot continue on this road with impunity. Pure food is neces- 

 sary for health. Embalmed beef or preservatives in fruit or 

 jellies are destructive to life, and arsenic used to destroy insect 

 life must be classed as dangerous. The state puts its seal of 

 poison on every ounce sold, thereby giving its warning to the 

 public. Beyond this question of public danger about which there 

 can be no dispute, save as to the time when it is to be met, the 

 financial issues claim attention. Tests made by experienced 

 growers demonstrate that spraying with arsenic injures the leaf, 

 and the destruction of the leaves materially affects the size and 

 essentially the quality of the fruit and crop. Minimized in quan- 

 tity as it may be the danger is greatly reduced and the effect not 

 so apparent, but the certainty of injurious results sooner or later, 

 and the fact of the deadly nature of the drug, may well be con- 



