1 86 AGRICILTLKH Ol- MAINE. 



made if sufficient cause was found. It is sincerely hoped that 

 the law properly enforced is having the desired effect and that 

 the reason so few grievances have been reported is that the 

 people of the sta/tc are not ibeing imposed u,jK)n, rather than 

 that the silence maintained by the anny of consumers has been 

 due to the fear of publicity had violations been reported to the 

 proper officers oliarged with the enforcement of the law. It 

 .;eems most desirable that the taxpayers should at all times take 

 advantage of this bureau which is maintained for their pro- 

 tection; tliis is not only true regarding the insurance of human 

 food, but it should be well understood by the agriculturists 

 that the law of which this department is executive protects 

 :he seeds they plant ; the fertilizer used for plant food ; the 

 spraying material for the protection of plants from the attacks 

 of fungi and insects ; and the feeding stuffs for domestic animals, 

 as even these last named commodities, in order to be legally 

 sold, must be of good quality, unadulterated and properly 

 branded. 



Public sentiment in general seems very much in favor of the 

 Pure Food law and itSi enforcement. Most of the dealers have 

 welcomed the visits of the Pure Food inspectors, and, aside 

 from the desire to keetp 'within the requirements of this law, 

 its enforcement is being seriouisly considered by grocers and 

 restaurant keepers from an economic stand'point, as it is realized 

 that by following the advice of the inspectors to ''Swat the fly" 

 and "Bat the rat," the waste of stock is avoided, their profit in- 

 creased, and their 'business benefited. 



Milk Inspection. 



With the resignation of the Milk Inspector, who had this 

 work in charge — his resignation occurring in Octoiber — the in- 

 spection work of milk and other dairy products has been added 

 to the duties of the Bureau of Inspection. Methods of inspec- 

 tion were adopted along practically the lines previously em- 

 ployed. Care has been taken to make the sampling of milk as 

 complete as possible in every town visited, and occasional in- 

 spections w^ere made of dairy barns and milk rooms. The in- 

 spectors have also investigated the sale of renovated butter and 

 oleomargarine, but most of the work was confined to the col- 



