Report of F. J. H.lKracke. 



Hon. Charles A. Wieting, Commissioner of Agriculture: 



My Dear Sir. — I herewith submit the annual report of the 

 work performed in the Second Division of the Department of 

 Agriculture and the result of the prosecutions by the Attorney- 

 General of violations of the Agricultural Law, also the present 

 status of cases pending. 



In my previous report the New Jersey oleomargarine wagon 

 peddler problem, with its attending difficulties, was spoken of. 

 It was thought then that it might be possible to obtain addi- 

 tional legislation to more fully cope with this condition, but 

 after careful study it was found to be impracticable owing to 

 inter-state commerce questions. We therefore went to work 

 under the law as it now stands and devoted a considerable part 

 of our time to obtaining the right evidence against this class of 

 violators. As a result fifteen wagon men were arrested, tried 

 in the courts, convicted and heavy fines imposed, five or six of 

 them serving a term in prison. The total amount collected in 

 fines and penalties for violations of the Agricultural Law is the 

 largest in many years, largely due to the increased heavy penal- 

 ties imposed. 



The law having been amended this year, increasing the mini- 

 mum penalty from $25 to $50 for the first offence, and from $100 

 to $200 for the second offence in a civil action, and from $25 to 

 $50 for the first offence, and six months imprisonment for a sec- 

 ond offence in a criminal action, no doubt has been the means of 

 a more wholesome respect for the law, and it is conceded that 

 to-day there is a more complete observation of the same than in 



many years. 



Milk. 



The marking law, as applied to condensed milk, has been some- 

 what loosely observed, and upon having secured proper evidence, 

 actions were begun in a number of cases, from which about 

 $2,000 in penalties were collected. 



The milk received in this city during the last year has been of 

 an average quality. 



