64 state; pomological society. 



took the initiative in this State Society on this side of the line. 

 The New York Fruit Growers' Association a few weeks ago 

 discussed this same subject and appointed a committee to con- 

 sider the matter of a law which should govern the grading of 

 the fruit. Others are waking. Now are we to go forward in 

 this matter or not? Are we as a Society to continue our work 

 along this line and keep, as Prof. Munson says, everlastingly at 

 it until something is gained and a law is passed which will neces- 

 sitate the observation of certain rules and requirements, and 

 insure as a result that uniform grading which will restore the 

 State of Maine to its rightful position? Or are we to trust to 

 the general work of education by the Society and by individuals 

 which will arouse on the part of the growers more of pride in 

 their work and pride in the State, and reach this by individual 

 efforts ? 



Now one of the two courses alone is offered to us. We reach 

 the result by one course through legislation which forces a man 

 to do. We reach it in the other by the more indirect way, which 

 is more difficult always to see and note the results and to secure 

 that cooperation which is absolutely necessary. 



I wish we could discuss the question of practical cooperation 

 along these lines, as in the work which is being done in some 

 localities, but tonight we are discussing this question of the 

 Fruit Marks Act. How are we to do this, or how are we to take 

 the next step? It seems to me the next step for us to take is 

 right along the line of securing, or rather of working to secure 

 National legislation because State legislation will fail us. We 

 cannot reach and control the conditions by and through State 

 legislation. We must have National legislation in order to reach 

 results. This Society can do no better service to the fruit 

 interests of the State than by taking up this question and kind- 

 ling an interest in the great subject which will ultimately lead to 

 that proper, rightful and just grading of our fruit which shall 

 stamp it for what it really is and insure to the grower all that is 

 possible as the result of his labor. This I believe to be essen- 

 tially necessary for us. Or else, I say, we must fall back upon 

 the other alternative and take up the work of individual educa- 

 tion and stimulation of pride on the part of growers in order 

 that they may come to realize the necessity, and the sure returns 

 which will follow. If we feel it now, ultimately we may feel it 

 in larger measure. Unless there is a more thorough and careful 



