28 agriculture; of maine. 



great problem facing the Maine orchardist is this : By what 

 means can the standard of our fruit, as it goes upon the mar- 

 ket, be raised to the level reached by certain individual grow- 

 ers, and uniformity in size and freedom from defects be in- 

 sured ? This proposition is before us and I desire to submit to 

 you certain specific recommendations for your deliberate con- 

 sideration before this session closes, in order that there may be 

 unanimity of action in the future. 



The general estimate of an apple tree is not commensurate 

 with its earning capacity. The appreciation of the value of the 

 fruit grown is not on the leveJ necessary to insure rigid pro- 

 tection. Two dollars per barrel marks the average estimate for 

 a series of years and this calls for only two dollar care and 

 fertilization. There's a wide field for educational work and 

 it should be fully occupied. Beyond there are steps to be taken 

 which will necessitate legislative action and this society should 

 outline the policy and secure the legislation. 



1st. A stop must be put to commercial packing and by this 

 T mean the grading according to individual conceptions of what 

 the market will accept. 



2nd. The distinction between No. i and No. 2 fruit must be 

 made more pronounced. To do this the No. 2's must be elim- 

 inated by spraying and feeding as in the West. 



3rd. Already I have hinted at what now becomes necessary, 

 the amending of the law governing the grading, packing, and 

 branding of fruit. When this law was first being discussed the 

 Director of the Experiment Station suggested that its enforce- 

 ment be placed under his direction stating that he had funds 

 available, under the pure food act, with which to enforce the 

 same. As the bill carried no appropriation for expenses and 

 the State Department had no funds available for this purpose 

 under the law it was decided to frame the law as we did. Later 

 by decisions at Washington this expense could not be so cov- 

 ered. This explanation is but just in view of some criticisms 

 made. 



That the law we now have is moderate and inflicts no bur- 

 dens on any honest packer is a self evident fact, yet reliable in- 

 formation has reached me that a combination of packers has 

 been formed to ignore its simple requirements and also secure, 

 if possible, its repeal. For these reasons I urge consideration 



