STATE POMOLOGICAI. SOCIETY. 97 



initiate necessary legislation is a criticism upon this society. If 

 it is to merit existence in the future it must be because of service 

 to the special industry in whose behalf it was called into exist- 

 ence. The Fruit Marks Act of Canada is essentially as follows : 

 (i) That the face of all fruit packages must fairly represent 

 the fruit throughout. 



(2) Closed boxes and barrels must be marked with the name 

 and address of the packer, the variety of fruit, and its grade. 



(3) It is an offense, within the meaning of the act, to dispose 

 of, or have in possession for sale, fraudulently packed or marked 

 fruit even when buyer and seller are ignorant of the fact. 



(4) The act provides that No. i or XXX fruit "shall consist 

 of well-grown specimens of one variety, sound, of nearly uni- 

 form size, of good color for the variety, of normal shape and not, 

 less than 90 per cent free from scab, worm holes, bruises and 

 other defects, and properly packed," but does not prevent the 

 packing or selling of any grade that is properly marked. There 

 is no definition of grades marked "No. 2" or "XX" and "No. 3" 

 or "X." 



{S) Commission merchants who, after notice, handle fruit 

 put up contrary to law will be prosecuted ; but the act makes no 

 provision for the inspection of particular lots at the "request of 

 buyer or seller." 



The penalty for a violation of the law, with reference to pack- 

 ing and marking, is not less than 25 cents nor more than $1.00 

 per package ; for removing an inspector's brand, $40.00 ; for 

 obstructing an inspector, $25 to $500 ; the fines being equally 

 divided between the informant and the government. Alerchants 

 are held responsible for the fruit in their hands, but in every case 

 the original offender is prosecuted if found. 



Prof. Munson, in reviewing this act, said: "The beneficial 

 eft'ects of this law are already being felt across the border, and 

 it can but result in giving a tremendous impetus to the fruit 

 industry of the Dominion. Shall Maine lead in a similar move- 

 ment in our own country ? Is it not within the province of this 

 society to go before the State Legislature at its next session and 

 urge the passage of some measure which shall tend to protect 

 the reputation of Maine as a fruit producing State ? I am aware 

 that such a measure would meet with opposition, and have little 



