98 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



samples for 1916 were — without exception — drawn from a 

 single package of the brand in question, and rules to that effect 

 were issued to the fertilizer inspectors. 



The season of 1916 has also been marked by particularly new 

 activities along diflferent lines of food factory inspection, with 

 special reference to a continuation of the inspection of sardine 

 factories and the initiation of a new system of inspection for 

 the blueberry canning industry ; also, to a rather complete in- 

 spection of the corn factories of the state. 



The blueberry canning industry is one for which our state 

 is noted; it is peculiar to our state, but in the past little atten- 

 tion has been given to it — from the standpoint of inspection — 

 and really very little has been known concerning it. There are 

 great possibilities in the blueberry canning industry, however, 

 and we feel that considerable good has been accomplished as a 

 result of the inspection work. 



Another innovation in the inspection work has been the em- 

 ployment of an automobile and joining forces with the Bureau 

 of Weights and Measures; in this manner the inspection of 

 small country grocery stores has been carried on. This work, 

 which was conducted wholly along educational lines — it being 

 our first visit — has been productive of wonderful results. 



The following tables and figures are submitted, with the idea 

 of communicating to the public the number of people and the 

 amount of territory coming under our system of inspection for 

 the year 191 6. It will be noted that 286 towns and cities of 

 the state have been visited for the purposes of inspection : 



