REPORT OF BUREAU OF INSPECTION. I9I 



Very few samples have been taken thus far and, as the work- 

 goes on, it will probably be necessary to make a special collec- 

 tion of samples in order to ascertain as to the correctness of 

 labels; for the present, however, it seems consistent to proceed 

 slowly and almost entirely along educational lines. 



It should be borne in mind by the agriculturists and by the 

 consumers as well, that other provisions of the statute, the 

 enforcement of which is entrusted to this department, provide 

 that every package of fertilizer, every bag O'f feeding stuff, 

 every can or package of spraying material, sihall bear in a con- 

 sipicuous place on the outside of the package the quantity of the 

 contents. This is also true of all articles of food for human 

 consumption. If a farmer, therefore, carries to a grocery store 

 one pound of butter bearing a wrapper showing the quantity 

 of the contents, he is also entitled und-er the law to receive a 

 package of tea, coffee, or any other article of food, properly 

 marked in conformity with the law. It would seem that under 

 these conditions there is no chance for the charge of discrimi- 

 nation. 



CORRESPOXDEXCE. 



The correspondence of the Bureau of Inspection has neces- 

 sarily been large, as the work has been conducted along educa- 

 tional lines to a great extent. \Mienever technical violations 

 have been reported by the inspectors, not sufficiently flagrant 

 to warrant a hearing or prosecution, letters of warning 

 have been written relative to the exsposure of foods, marking 

 of compounds, general unsanitary conditions, and other minor 

 technicalities. The replies received- have been most gratifying. 



Aside from the correspondence of the above nature, there is 

 that necessitated by the registrations. Labels have often been 

 presented by manufacturers to be passed upon by the bureau, 

 and these inquiries have always been given prompt attention. 

 Whenever judged expedient, opinion as to the legality of the 

 labels has -been given, as we have considered it our duty to a5sist 

 the manufacturers in every ,way possible in insuring wholesale 

 food products to the consumer, properly branded with a true 

 statement of the exact nature of the goods the label describes. 

 These opinions have, however, been given reservedly. 



