62 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



its fruit an enviable position in the foreign market. Its fruit is 

 no better than ours, but throughout the season the past year 

 Canadian apples sold in the European market for an average of 

 four shillings higher than New England stock. They obtained 

 this higher price through the operation of their Fruit Marks Act 

 and system of inspection. We lost because the bulk of our stock 

 v^-as sold to buyers who packed solely with reference to immedi- 

 ate sales and the possible profits of a quick turn. 



Wanting a fixed system we wait in vain for the profit from the 

 industry which others receive. This condition will continue 

 until the fact is established that Maine fruit is all sorted, packed 

 and branded by a uniform system which insures to the buyer just 

 what the brand on the head, or the upper tier of apples indicates. 

 In view of the experience of the year I am convinced that it will 

 be wise to continue the work of interesting Growers and Fruit 

 Associations in the subject and that the same appropriation, as 

 made last year, be continued. Should a joint meeting be decided 

 upon extra expense would be incurred. 



A most important phase of the question lies in the fact that 

 while other states are in a most serious condition, because of 

 the San Jose scale, Maine is free. The situation grows worse 

 in the West and Middle West and while the pest increases for- 

 eign countries have closed their doors to all fruit from these 

 ■states infested. In this fact should be found our chief incen- 

 tive to activity in order that we may insure the highest standard 

 'Of uniformity possible in the fruit shipped from the State of 

 Maine. If as there is reason to believe our climate is too cold 

 for this pest to live, this scale being a hot climate insect, there 

 IS every reason for thankfulness and surely for extension of 

 Maine orchards and honest grading of all fruit. Let us be 

 prompt to act for our own interests. 



This society has set itself to an important work in this direc- 

 tion and if in the years through co-operation with other bodies 

 there is evolved what will insure to fruit growers of the State 

 the place in the market which the quality of selected Maine 

 fruit will fully justify, future generations will bear testimony to 

 the valuable service rendered. We must not relax our efforts 

 until such legislation is secured as will insure the grading, 

 packing, and branding of our magnificent fruit crops under 

 •competent inspection and their sale upon the market for just 

 what they are, the best apples grown in all the world. 



