REPORT OF BUREAU OF INSPECTION. 121 



seemed that the work as begun by the office of the State Coop- 

 erative Food and Drug Commissioner — estabhshed in 1914 — 

 has become more and more active, and recommendations for 

 federal prosecution have been made for numerous cases during 

 the year. 



We were particularly grateful for the assistance given us by 

 the federal department in the investigation of the matter of 

 shipping adulterated clams to interstate points. As soon as 't 

 became apparent that this practice was being followed, the mat- 

 ter was communicated to the federal authorities at the nearest 

 laboratory — which is in Boston — and as a result the offending 

 wholesalers were cited to a hearing, thus greatly strengthening 

 the statute for our enforcement. 



The cooperation of the Federal Bureau of Chemistry w^ith 

 our department, in delegating an inspector for three distinct 

 tours of inspection — the investigation of sardine factories, corn 

 canning factories and the smoked and boneless herring industry 

 — was particularly welcome. The work was carried out with 

 complete harmony, and it is felt that much good resulted from 

 this combination of forces. Any requests for information from 

 the Cooperative Department have always been attended to 

 promptly, or referred to the proper authorities where such 

 information might be obtained. The inauguration of reports of 

 seizures and the receipt of seizure cards have been greatly ap- 

 preciated ; when these report cards have been received at this 

 office — in order that the information thereon might be more 

 generally disseminated — a circular letter has been written to 

 the inspectors of the department, containing the data in a some- 

 what abbreviated form. 



The letters sent to this Bureau relative to methods of food 

 and drug analysis, have also been gratefully received. 



Fairs. 



As usual, the inspectors of the department visited the prin- 

 cipal fairs of the state and advised the purveyors of food at 

 these places as to the requirements of the law and the most ap- 

 proved methods for dispensing food on such occasions. This 

 is a difficult proposition to handle, but for the most part the 

 intentions of the food vendors seem to be honest. 



