172 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



results of the analyses of these samples were reported at once 

 to the Bureau and adulterated and misbranded cases were in- 

 vestigated. A few cases of short measure were reported. It 

 is greatly to be regretted that a large amount of the vinegar 

 which came under our observation was purchased from manu- 

 facturers outside of the state. The results of the analyses, 

 together with a discussion of home making of vinegar, are 

 published in Official Inspections No. 70. 



Clams and Oysters. — During the spring of 191 5. and again 

 late in the fall and early winter months, general sampling was 

 done on clams and oysters. The oyster situation is consider- 

 ably improved ; there is still, however, a great chance for 

 improvement in the methods of dispensing clams, the results of 

 analyses in many cases having shown that the clams had been 

 allowed to remain in water and had thus been swollen. All 

 these cases were promptly investigated. The general results of 

 the analyses of these samples have been published in Official 

 Inspections No. 66. 



Ice Cream. — During the summer numerous samples of ice 

 cream were collected and, while not from every single town in 

 the state, the territory that was covered gave rather a careful 

 index as to the quality of the goods that were being manufac- 

 tured. The results have been most encouraging as practically 

 all of the ice cream samples that were taken show a product 

 of good quality and well above the standard. Although the 

 exact numerical results are not given in Official Inspections for 

 this year, the data reporting such samples will be found in 

 Official Inspections No. 76. 



Cooperative Work. 



As has already been mentioned with particular reference to 

 the collection of feeding stuffs samples, the efficiency of the 

 inspection work has been greatly added to by the right of 

 recommending prosecutions to the federal department by virtue 

 of the authority delegated by the Collaborating State Officials 

 Commission, and considerable active work along lines of co- 

 operation between the United States department and the Maine 

 department has been accomplished. Recommendations for 

 federal prosecution for forty different cases have been made 



