278 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



to health. Even half a gram a day was found to be injurious, 

 if continued for any length of time. 



I fancy I hear you all asking, what then can we eat? Is 

 there any known article of food not adulterated? As condi- 

 tions now exist there seems to me but one open way to pursue 

 and that is to adopt, as far as possible, the simple, primitive 

 methods of preparing foods as in the past. Use of the freshly 

 grown vegetables and fruits instead of the canned products. To 

 save time in the preparation of fruits and vegetables for cook- 

 the housewives having formed the habit of using canned foods 

 freely and think nothing of using them the year round. The 

 original use of such was to help tide over from season to 

 season when fresh vegetables and fruits could not be procured, 

 but this fact has been overlooked. 



Not only should we eliminate canned fruits and vegetables 

 from our diet, but meat, as largely as possible, for reasons al- 

 ready stated and because it is usually preserved with boracic 

 acid. This acid preserves meats' color and by other artificial 

 devices it is made to seem plump and fresh. Spices should be 

 used as little as possible but when used one should purchase 

 the unground berry. By adopting this plan of action you 

 avoid their adulteration. Whatever you purchase as food get 

 the best procurable. The best is none too good, and if we ex- 

 pect to derive sustenance and strength from our foods we must 

 select those that will make such a condition possible. We 

 should not expect results if we are indifferent to them. What 

 nature requires for health is pure, wholesome, unadulterated 

 foods. Simplicity of diet and preparation of foods should be 

 the watchword in every home. 



But there are other things for us to correct and that is the 

 methods employed by food manufacturers to deceive. For the 

 past twenty years efforts have been made to induce Congress 

 to pass a pure food bill. Such a bill has been regularly in- 

 troduced each year, but of no avail. Last year it succeeded in 

 passing the House of Representatives, but the Senate laid it 

 aside as usual. It would seem that our wise and learned 

 Senators are not wasting time and thought on the health of the 

 nation, and but little does it seem to concern them how many 

 lives are sacrificed each year through their indifference to this 

 bill. At least this would seem to be the case, for I have Dr. 

 Wiley's word for the truth of this statement, " that last year's 



