26 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



more in 191 1, come into bearing. To-day every indication 

 points to a still larger setting in 19 12. All this makes impera- 

 tive a campaign of education for legislation to protect Maine 

 ^uit. 



The great majority of our apples are purchased on the trees, 

 or at picking time, by representatives of foreign, or out-of-the- 

 state, buyers, and sorted and packed according to market con- 

 ditions, not according to law. The commercial standard rules 

 and that fluctuates according to demand and supply. Mean- 

 while the State and the industry suffer in that these apples are 

 all branded "Extra No. 1. Maine Baldwins" or "Spys," etc., the 

 per cent of No. twos being ridiculously small. It was these 

 apples I saw opened in western Massachusetts and Connecticut 

 last winter, which brought only criticism and condemnation on 

 the State as a whole and every grower therein. No friend of 

 Maine's apple industry can rest until the brand on every pack- 

 age shipped or sold is true to the contents of the same. This 

 much the consumer is entitled to ; this the producer must have, 

 to insure income from his orchards. 



Individual interpretation of law must yield to standards fixed 

 by state inspectors. The complete vindication of that friend 

 of the common people, Dr. H. W. Wiley, who, as head of the 

 National Pure Food department, has stood for pure food 

 regardless of the most vindictive abuse and opposition, gives 

 promise that under national rulings this practice of deception 

 in packing and branding apple packages may be controlled by 

 Government inspectors. \\'hen that day arrives excuses will 

 have little weight and the plea of ignorance no relief. 



In view of the defeat of our proposed amendments to the 

 fruit law in the last legislature, allow me to submit the recom- 

 mendations of 1910 and urge the more complete organization 

 of this society that such as may be adopted, may be publicly 

 discussed and interest centered on these features most impor- 

 tant for the prom(Uion of the industry, before the legislature 

 of 191 3 convenes. 



1st. To provide for a system of inspection by state authori- 

 ties of all boxes and barrels intended for sale. 



2d. To remove the qualifying sections in our present law 

 permitting imperfect and damaged specimens in classes i. (ex- 

 tras) and 2 (No. I's) so that every apple shall be as repre- 

 sented by the brand upon the outside of the package. 



