304 



Canadian Fruit Marks Act. [august, 



formation of breeding and herdbook societies. The premiums 

 supplement and are equal in amount to the premiums awarded 

 by the Canton ; they are awarded on the result of the judging 

 at local competitions held for the purpose, and in order to put 

 farmers to as little expense as possible these are somewhat 

 numerous, 29 being held in the Canton of Berne, 43 in Fribourg 

 and 31 autumn competitions and 34 spring competitions in 

 Vaud. The judges are a permanent body and travel from one 

 place to another. These competitions or shows are on the 

 simplest scale, lasting for one day only and being confined 

 merely to the judging of the animals exhibited. The premiums, 

 however, are not actually awarded for nine months after the 

 competition in order that satisfactory evidence may be produced 

 of the use of the animals for breeding purposes. The judging is 

 based on a system of points according to a fixed scale. The 

 animals are then divided into classes according to the number 

 of points received, and all those in the same class receive the 

 same premium. This method is found to work satisfactorily, 

 as notwithstanding the number of small shows approximately 

 the same class of animals receive similar premiums at all of them. 



The premiums awarded differ in each Canton, according to 

 the sum of money available. In Fribourg bulls over 15 months 

 received £12, £8 and £4. each in the first, second and third 

 classes. In Vaud the highest premium was £16. Premiums 

 are also given for sheep and goats. 



The Canadian Fruit Marks Act of 1901, which was amended 

 in 1906, provides for the marking or branding of all closed 

 boxes or barrels of fruit with a designation 

 Canadian Fruit of the grade of fruit and its variety, 

 Marks Act. together with the full name and address 

 of the packer. There are four grades, 

 viz. : Fancy, No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. " Fancy " quality is to 

 consist of well grown specimens of one variety, of uniform and 

 of at least normal size and of good colour for the variety, of 

 normal shape, free from worm holes, bruises, scab and other 

 defects and properly packed. No. 1 quality is to consist of 

 well grown specimens of one variety, sound, of not less than 

 medium size and of good colour for the variety, of normal 

 shape and not less than 90 per cent, free from scab, worm holes, 



