i9i i.] Societies for Marketing Fruit in Ontario. 765 



In any proceedings under paragraph (b) it is a defence 

 that the poison was placed by the accused for the purpose 

 of destroying rats, mice, or other small vermin, and that he 

 took all reasonable precautions to prevent access thereto of 

 dogs, cats, fowls, or other domestic animals. 



This provision is, in its application to Ireland, modified by 

 Section 17 (2) of the Act. 



Spring Traps. — Any person who sets, or causes or pro- 

 cures to be set, any spring trap for the purpose of catching 

 any hare or rabbit, or which is so placed as to be likely to 

 catch any hare or rabbit is liable to a penalty if he does not 

 inspect, or cause some competent person to inspect, the trap 

 at reasonable intervals of time, and at least once every day 

 between sunrise and sunset. 



Associations of fruit-growers in Ontario are mainly of three 

 kinds, viz. : Societies for sending apples to markets (gener- 

 ally distant markets), societies for 

 Societies for marketing fruit generally and small 



Marketing Fruit fruit associations engaged mainly in 

 in Ontario.* forwarding small fruit to home 



markets. 



Societies for Marketing Apples. — Of the three kinds of 

 societies these are the least well organised, but the system 

 adopted by one or two of these associations may be of in- 

 terest. In the case of one society there is no share capital, 

 and the deposits of buyers are depended on for working 

 capital. A shed is rented for storing the apples; buyers are 

 required to pay a certain proportion of the price before the 

 apples are forwarded, and the remainder of the price within 

 a certain time. The society then pays to each member a 

 certain price per barrel of apples, reserving a little more than 

 sufficient to pay expenses. At the annual meeting of the 

 society the amount in hand is paid back to the growers 

 according to the business done by them. The only person 

 who is paid — beside the necessary employees — is the secre- 

 tary-manager, who receives a commission on the fruit sold. 

 In another case the members have formed themselves into 



* U.S. Daily Consular and Trade Reports, October ioth, 191 1. 



