Commissioner of Agriculture. 227 



ming to the extent of about ten per cent.; therefore, considering 

 that ninety-five per cent, of the milk is up to and above the State 

 standard, and five per cent, only showing ten per cent, average 

 adulteration, gives an adulteration of the whole quantity equival- 

 ent to one-half of one per cent, of the whole. 



I have no hesitation in stating that the above estimate will cover 

 the adulteration, notwithstanding the exaggerated statements 

 that hdve been published during the past season. 



From October first to May first the attention of the employes 

 in this division was chiefly directed to looking after the fraudulent 

 sale of oleomargarine, and during the term from May first to Octo- 

 ber first they were principally engaged in inspecting milk when 

 sold at retail, and at the different depots wTiere it was delivered 

 to the dealers, and in inspecting stables and cows. 



In conclusion, I take great pleasure in stating that I have been 



assisted in every possible manner by each of the State agents,- 



chemists and counsel employed in this division of the Department 



of Agriculture. I will also add that the judges of the courts in 



which prosecutions have been brought, have given every detail 



of the work of this Department prompt and careful attention, and 



the district attorneys and the police department have assisted 



in the enforcement of the law promptly whenever called upon by 



this Department. 



' Respectfully submitted, 



B. F. VAN VALKENBURGH, 



Assistant CommissioiHi'. 



