Il6 STATE POMOLOGICAI, SOCIETY. 



or produced under the British flag, and the second reason is 

 because our barrels are not equal to the Canadian barrel. 



The latter objection we can easily overcome if we will wake 

 up and get out of the rut, and by using the same sort of a pack- 

 age and shipping fruit of equal reliability, we can do much to 

 overcome the former reason. 



What are the steps to be taken to bring about the use of a 

 suitable and uniform barrel for apples in this State? 



First, a law to fix the dimensions of an apple barrel. It is 

 just as righteous, just as proper, and just as fair, to fix the size 

 of an apple barrel as it is to fix the size of a quart of milk or a 

 gallon of molasses. Just as proper as it is to fix the size of any 

 measure, whether it be a quart, a peck, a bushel or a barrel. 



Then must the Maine Pomological Society, with the co-opera- 

 tion of the Grange, regulate the material to be used. 



There must be no more rough-sawed and unplaned staves, 

 no more soft wood heads. 



The barrel makers will gladly conform to any such regulations 

 which their patrons may adopt and require. Co-operation will 

 soon make it possible to establish mills for cutting staves and 

 making hoops, or placing large orders for such material with 

 those in a position to furnish what is required. 



Co-operation in production or purchase, means economy as 

 well as uniformity. 



A barrel maker, guaranteed the sale of 15,000 barrels at a 

 given price, can make the price lower than he otherwise could, 

 as he can arrange for material at a favorable time of year. 



Then, when this happy day for the Maine apple industry has 

 arrived, the prospective purchaser in distant lands will not ask 

 "\A'hat sort of a barrel will you use?" or,' if he does, you can 

 proudly say : "We Use the Standard Apple Barrel of the State 

 of Maine." 



Thanking you for your invitation to address you and assuring 

 you of my deep and sincere interest in the welfare of the Maine 

 apple business, I remain, 



Yours truly, 



F. D. CUMMINGS. 



I will just add a few words to this for the information of 

 those who have never taken interest enough to measure the 



