STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 



the usual custom in all pure food decisions, relating to protein. 



When the apple buyers of the world understand that the 

 word Maine means just what the label reads, the results will 

 surprise the opposition to this change. Try and be convinced. 



Your presiding officer has made his stencil bring a premium 

 price, and surely what a few can do many can accomplish with 

 much better and quicker results. The world's greatest trust, 

 the Standard Oil, has been accused of watered stock, but we 

 never heard that they watered their oil. 



Let us also recommend a change in size of our apple box to 

 i8xii I-2XIO 1-2 owing to the simplicity with which it can be 

 packed in comparison with our present standard, and also for 

 the sum of two thousand dollars for the enforcement of chapter 

 247 of the public laws of 1909. In this connection I have 

 heard the argument advanced, that more can be accomplished 

 by education, than by statute ; that you cannot prevent a dis- 

 honest pack by law. Possibly not entirely, but we can control 

 it. You cannot prevent murder by statute, but how many of 

 this audience would repeal the laws relative to murder for 

 this reason? 



At the same time I believe in education along packing lines 

 and our State Department of Agriculture has offered to give 

 box packing demonstrations in the orchards, upon request. 



I do not know how many have availed themselves of this 

 offer, but coming at the busy season, I fear but few. Such dem- 

 onstrations given in the granges during the winter months, 

 (would no doubt be well attended and do much to improve gen- 

 eral conditions. Of one thing we can rest assured, the apple 

 box for fancy fruit has come to stay. 



A story is in circulation so absurd that it may seem foolish 

 to refer to it here and I would not except for the fact that it 

 is so persistent in its circulation and it has come to me from 

 so many sources. I want it distinctly understood (and I am 

 quite sure I voice the sentiments of every grower present) 

 that there never has been and never will be on the part of this 

 society any effort to prevent the sale of any grade of apples 

 grown in this State. All we are fighting for is that they should 

 be so graded and marked as to truly represent the stencil. The 

 farmers who listen to the doleful tale of some apple buyers, 



