56 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



SORTING, PACKING AND GRADING FRUIT. 

 Dr. G. M. TwiTCHELL, Auburn. 



At the last annual session of this Maine State Pomological 

 Society, the following resolution was given an unanimous pas- 

 sage : 



"That this society, recognizing the substantial growth of our 

 fruit industry and realizing the necessity for a more critical 

 grading of the stock, for the protection of the grower, declares 

 in favor of national legislation looking to a Fruit Marks Act, 

 and authorizes the appointment of a committee whose duty it 

 shall be to correspond with the officers of the Fruit Growers' 

 Associations in the several states, and if a general sentiment is 

 found favoring such action to arrange a conference for the pur- 

 pose of outlining national legislation, said committee to be au- 

 thorized to expend a sum not to exceed fifty dollars for postage 

 and necessary printing and expenses, a full report to be made 

 at the next annual session of this society." 



In submitting a report of the work done the past year by 

 your special committee on sorting, grading, packing and inspec- 

 tion of fruit intended for shipment, I regret that more has not 

 been accomplished yet am certain that the agitation of the sub- 

 ject, set on foot by this society, is gradually leavening the 

 lump, and, if we persist in our efforts, and are willing to wait 

 patiently, we shall secure legislation which will be of incalcu- 

 lable service to our fruit interests. I am convinced that it would 

 be unfortunate for that legislation to be hastened. Neither the 

 growers nor packers are yet alive to the purpose or the effect 

 of the measures proposed and the educative work must be con- 

 tinued for some time before we shall come to realize the im- 

 nicnse loss resulting from present methods and certain profit 

 sure to follow a system of inspection, grading and branding 

 as thorough as that now applied to other food products. 



Our plea for legislation must be along the same line as that 

 presented in behalf of inspection of other products, even if the 

 element of danger to health does not exist. Following the last 

 session I sent to the officers of all pomological or combined soci- 

 eties in the East, Middle West and West a copy of the following 

 circular letter: 



