STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 



LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE APPLE GROWING. 

 Dr. G. M. TwiTCHELL, Auburn. 



Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — Perhaps it may be 

 well for me to preface what I say with just a little explanation 

 of what has been done in the past. Four years ago, after a 

 thorough discussion of the question of grading, packing and 

 branding, it was thought best to appoint a committee of one to 

 take up the matter with the other horticulural and pomological 

 societies of the country and see if some steps could not be taken 

 looking towards legislation. That matter was placed in my 

 hands and I at once opened a correspondence with the officers 

 of every society of which I could find any record, and we found 

 of course a general feeling of desire for something to be done, 

 and with that, considerable opposition. As the years passed 

 it was thought best to confine ourselves to New England, and 

 we have held four meetings of the representatives of the pomo- 

 logical and horticultural societies of New England for the sole 

 purpose of talking over this matter of legislation to insure 

 more complete and perfect branding, grading and packing of 

 our fruit. So much by way of explanation. 



Years but make clear the absolute necessity for some restrain- 

 ing influence which will insure to the grower of apples that 

 position which the quality of Maine fruit might make per- 

 manent. Today we sufi^er because of that commercial spirit 

 in the past which has packed our apples as close to the line of 

 refusal by buyers as possible, and last year brought sad havoc 

 to pocketbooks and greater to reputation. Whether the sorting 

 and packing is by growers or dealers the fact stands clear that 

 the brand must be a guarantee, not of the face but of the con- 

 tents. For years we have been satisfied to receive from fifty 

 cents to one dollar per barrel less in European markets than 

 the Canadian growers, and overlooked the significance of the 

 Fruit Marks Act, which has insured them their position. 



Buyers are entitled to what they pay for and the brand and 

 name on the outside of the package has but to tell the truth 

 regarding variety and grade for reputation to be established. 



