224 



STATE iiOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SIMILAHITY Ol- I'ATENTEl) ARTICLES. 



Another source of coiDplaiiit has arisen from the worthlessiiess and simihirity 

 of the patented contrivances. This complaint has arisen from the practice in 

 the patent office rather than from any defects in the law. Originally it was 

 the intention that the patent office should grant its patents only after such an 

 examination as should determine whether or not the patent granted was an 

 infringement on any previous patent. Such is yet the intention of the law, 

 and, so far as possible, the practice of the office. It was found, however, that 

 the number of patents granted soon became so. great that no single person 

 could examine them all. This, of necessity, led to a subdivision of the exam- 

 ining work into classes, which have been from time to time increased as the 

 business has increased. 



This increase of business is shown in the following table taken from the pat- 

 ent efface reports : 



