56 AGRICULTURK OF MAINE. 



simply because of lack of facilities for storing. To my mind, 

 cold storage and cooperation go hand in hand. When we solve 

 the former, the latter will follow, enabling us to avoid the fall 

 rush of fruit to glutted markets and make a more equal distri- 

 bution at all seasons, and insuring a larger profit to the grower 

 without adding any hardships to the consumer. 



I was approached a short time back, as to the feasibility of 

 the erection of a cold storage warehouse in the fruit belt. It 

 did not, however, in this particular case, appeal strongly to me, 

 as the capital would come from out of the State entirely, 

 while I firmly believe it should and could be raised here among 

 our citizens, who have the welfare of their own State more at 

 heart. This proposition, however, illustrates the fact that if 

 we do not take' thfe initiative, the opportunity will be lost and 

 I recommend the appointment of a committee of this society 

 with power to act if sufficient capital can be procured. To ac- 

 complish anything a beginning must be made. 



Four years ago at the earnest solicitation of this society, the 

 legislature passed the Maine apple law, without any appropria- 

 tion to secure its enforcement. We are all too familiar with 

 the present conditions, which seem nearly a calamity to those 

 who are doing their utmost to make our apples known not as 

 the "big red apple" but the "best red apple." There are a 

 number of sections of the law which are open to criticism and 

 for the purpose of discussion and that the sense of this meeting 

 may be laid before our next legislature, J recommend the fol- 

 lowing changes: — Omit after Sections 2, 3, 4, "Any package, 

 barrel or box of apples containing more than ten per cent of 

 apples below this standard shall not be marked, etc." 



The success of our western competitors is in their honest 

 package, not superior quality. 



This is tlie age of progress ; we must keep in the procession 

 or be spectators. This will work no hardships except on such 

 parties as pack 106 barrels of fruit in six hours with a crew of 

 five men, as was done in the town of Monmouth last winter. 

 Let us be honest and pack our goods true to label, leaving the 

 tolerance to the court or proper authorities. 



If our present law was enforced we could not secure a con- 

 viction under a tolerance of fifteen or sixteen per cent. Surely 

 five or six per cent is sufficient. This, I am informed, has been 



