STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 



Dear Sir: 



Realizing that by the failure to properly grade and mark our 

 fruit shipments there is loss to the producer as well as shipper 

 both in price and reputation, the members of the Maine State 

 Pomological Society, during their late annual meeting at Can- 

 ton, Nov. 14-16, appointed the undersigned a committee to 

 confer with the officers of all known like organizations in the 

 country, ascertain the situation in each State, whether it is desir- 

 able to unite for any national legislation governing the grading, 

 marking and inspection of fruit for shipment, and also to ar- 

 range with others, if deemed best for our fruit interests, a meet- 

 ing at some central place where the whole problem can be dis- 

 cussed and an intelligent decision reached. Will you kindly give 

 me your opinion regarding the situation in your State, whether 

 there is call for any consideration of this question and whether 

 such a meeting as is here proposed would meet your approval? 

 Canada by its Fruit Marks Act has materially raised the average 

 grade of its shipments, Nova Scotia has, by this same act, 

 regained her former reputation for quality, and buyers and 

 growers alike attest its efficiency. The first question for us to 

 consider is whether there is any call for improvement in the 

 grading and marking of our fruit, and if so, how best to secure 

 the desired end. 



May I not be favored with an early reply and your candid 

 opinion of the situation? 



I firmly believe that united efforts can add greatly to the cash 

 returns from orchard shipments and give our fruit a more per- 

 manent position in all the great markets of the world. 



Awaiting your favor, 



Very truly, 



Geo. M. Twitchell, 



For Maine State Pomological Society. 



The replies came promptly in most cases, and in several the 

 interest manifested was so great that I was at once urged to 

 visit different states in the West and discuss the questions at 

 fruit gatherings and institutes. New Hampshire is, I believe, 

 the only state from which I have no reply. Let me present a 

 few of the manv letters received : 



