40 BIENNIAL REPORT 



demand of the system for fruit as an important component part of the 

 daily ration, the Montana market was the dump ground for diseased, wormy 

 fruit that was saleable no place else in the United States. 



Fruits were deliberately culled out of general packings with a view to 

 their geuei-al unworthiness and were foisted on to our markets, and it was 

 understood it was that or none. 



With the passage of the law, defective and short reaching as it was, a 

 notable change was at once observed, in the grade and quality of the com- 

 modity. True it was not the case until drastic efforts were made to purge 

 shipments of diseased and wormy fruits, but our inspectors have compelled 

 the fruit supply to be improved, until under the law the consumer is fairly 

 well protected. 



The law requires amendment in several respects, notably as to the im- 

 position of a small fee to defray the cost of inspection. 



Practically our chief inspector has done a large part of his work of in- 

 spection free of charge and without compensation, looking to a state legisla- 

 ture that has never yet permitted a faithful officer to serve without reward, 

 to make suitable provision. 



In three respects the law must be amended. 



FIRST — ^An unequivocal definition and provision for an inspection fee. 



SECOND — Provision for the immediate destruction of diseased and in- 

 fested fruits, instead of the present option for return of goods to the ship- 

 per, or its reshipment to neighboring states. 



THIRD — Much contention has been made that owing to the absence of 

 orchards and fruit plantations in Silver Bow, that there can be no danger 

 of contamination in the sale of condemned goods in the city of Butte. 



Grave objections exist to this interpretation. First, It is comparatively 

 easy to pass these refuse fruits into other sections of the state, where harm 

 to growing orchards can be accomplished. Second, The fruit consumer 

 of the principal city of the state should have our protection. 



I am of the opinion that the consumer is in ignorance often times of 



the actual condition of the fruit, and is thus defrauded. I would suggest as 



a remedy, in this case, that the inspector be required by law to place a 



prominent stenciled stamp upon each package of infested fruit, as follows: 



"REJECTED FRUIT FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION." 



This to apply only to Silver Bow and Deer Lodge counties. 



Congratulating the board and the citizens of Montana upon the good 

 work done in this the first term of the Board of Horticulture. I remain. 



Respectfully, 

 S. M. EMERY, • 

 Bozeman. Member Second District. 



