58 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



In far too many instances this has not been the case in the past. 

 The time has arrived for growers to protect themselves and to 

 do this we must take such steps as will insure a clean, honest 

 pack. Buyers who deal on commission will pack to our injury 

 as growers. Maine fruit suffers today for want of the certainty 

 that every barrel is honestly packed and branded. Nova Scotia 

 lost its market and reputation in the same manner, and it was 

 only by the application of the most stringent rules and a patient 

 adhesion to them for several years that the old-time position 

 was won back. 



The Fruit Marks Act of Canada has in the past seven years 

 brought about a degree of uniformity upon a high level never 

 thought possible before. Their standard for No. I's is that 

 every apple shall be true to name, not less than 21-2 inches in 

 diameter, free from defects but with an allowance of ten per 

 cent for rapid work. This is not an arbitrarily high standard 

 yet it has radically changed the condition and reputation of 

 Canadian apples. We have not their form of government and 

 cannot reach results by as direct methods. For this reason this 

 society four years ago took up this question instructing your 

 committee of one to correspond with all societies and assist in 

 bringing about unity of action. It gives me great pleasure to 

 be able to report today that there is a general sentiment in favor 

 of united action in the New England States. I soon found that 

 to accomplish anything there must be a frequent coming together 

 of representatives of the several societies for discussion and 

 conference and this led to the creation of the New England 

 Conference of Fruit Interests. 



For , three years we have been meeting and discussing this 

 question, the sessions being held in connection with some one 

 of the New England societies at annual sessions. The result 

 has been the bringing together of interested workers who have 

 assisted in the regular work of these sessions and already there 

 is seen a focusing of thought and purpose upon certain scientific 

 lines of work most valuable and necessary for the success of the 

 industry in this section of our broad domain. 



At the late gathering at Milford, N. H., it was unanimously 

 voted to refer to each state society the following as the sub- 

 stance of legislation thought advisable at the present time with 



