114 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



per cent short of a pound; butter in crocks, lo to 30 per cent 

 short; lard sold in No. 3, No. 5 and No. 10 pails, but not 3, 5 

 or 10 lbs.; coal sold to the poor at $13.50 per ton; wood in the 

 stacked barrels, and kindling in short bundles; matches sold 

 to the consumer as boxes of 500 and not holding 400; paints 

 and oils shy in quality and quantity; the list could be extended 

 ad infinitum through the whole list of articles that are put into 

 our bodies, on our bodies, over, under or on the side of us, 

 indeed whether it be for ourselves, our dogs, horses or cows 

 or for our stoves, furnaces, or our streets. 



What are the causes of these three evils ? The faulty appara- 

 tus or false use of correct scales, weights and measures, is due 

 to ignorance, negligence, acquired dishonesty or inherent dis- 

 honesty. 



The first three can be overcome and the last three should be 

 and can be eliminated by effective legislation, providing for 

 intelligent inspection. 



Results of the three evils are evident. We pay for things 

 we do not get, and though many of the shortages violate no 

 statute, and as in the case of package goods are only taking ad- 

 vantage of the fact that we have an exceedingly poor visual con- 

 cept of quantity, though few realize it or are even willing to 

 admit it, yet the purchasing power of a dollar is reduced. The 

 poor, the very ones who need the fullest protection, suffer most. 



Whatever other causes may contribute to the high cost of 

 living, one evident cause is shortage in weight and measure of 

 the commodity purchased. We need Federal Legislation giving 

 to some Bureau, power to regulate and pass upon the types of 

 scales, weights and measures that can be manufactured and 

 used. 



. We shall have in force a National Standard Apple Barrel 

 Law next July, — why not the same for other commodities? 

 Why should we not have a standard caliper and a uniform 

 measurement of lumber? Why should we not have a standard 

 shingle and an authorized bundle? We are receiving many 

 complaints regarding the measurement of shingles and lumber. 



Bundle hay is received in my state that will not weigh up 

 to the markings on the bale. A correct tolerance for hay should 

 be established to allow for reasonable shrinkage to be used in 



