96 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



In order to accomplish any permanent results there must be 

 a well organized movement set on foot by this society to secure 

 legislation by which all fruit shipments shall be carefully and 

 completely graded. Here is where our neighbors across the line 

 have outstripped us and are securing, through the enforcement 

 of laws governing the sorting and packing, an enviable position 

 in the European markets. As these must, for all time, be the 

 distributing centres for the great bulk of the fruit grown on this 

 continent, it is neither wisdom nor economy to allow others to 

 lead in this most important factor in disposing of the product. 



We lay emphasis upon varieties, setting, fertilization, cultiva- 

 tion and care of the trees, and these may well be emphasized over 

 and over again, but we have not yet come to insist upon the 

 importance of uniform packages or grading of the fruit. In 

 1901 Canada passed what is known as the "Fruit Marks Act," 

 some portions of which were amended the following year, the 

 result being a marked improvement in the grade of fruit offered 

 for sale, and better returns to the grower. 



Trade rests largely upon confidence and the fact that there is 

 a law requiring the proper grading and marking and that mspec- 

 tors have authority in each and every case, would be much to 

 attract trade and insure satisfactory prices. It may be claimed 

 that this legislation must be national, and so it should be, but 

 some state will take the initiative, and why not Maine? The 

 only objections to be raised would be either against any attempt 

 to check fraud or "the extra bother," as one party expresses it, 

 of grading into different barrels or boxes. In either case the 

 object aimed at is entirely overlooked, for it must follow that 

 graded fruit will bring dollars to the pocket of the grov/er, and 

 if this puts a stop to "deaconed" packages it surely is a step to be 

 devoutly prayed for as a help to common honesty. Criticism 

 holds not against the great majority, but those who seek to evade 

 and would deceive for present gain. It is these who lower the 

 reputation of the State and reduce the price otherwise possible 

 for all, and because of indifference to their own best interests 

 the steps here indicated become absolutely necessary. 



In an able address before this society at Farmington, two years 

 ago. Prof. Munson urged the measures here advocated, and the 

 fact that no action was taken and no movement organized to 



