No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGiUCULTL RE. 15 



The number of prosecutions brought during tbe year for viola- 

 tions of tbe feeding stuffs law, were forty-seven, and tbe amount 

 paid in fines and covered into tbe State Treasury was $965.00. Of 

 tbe prosecutions brougbt during tbe year, twelve remain unde- 

 termined. In a few instances, in wbich, after obtaining full in- 

 formation concerning all tbe circumstances attending tbe case, 

 we bad doubts as to wbetber tbe action could be sustained, settle- 

 ment before tbe magistrate or court was permitted upon tbe pay- 

 ment of costs bv defendants. In onlv two cases, tbe costs were 

 paid by tbe Department. 



LINSEED OIL AND MIXED PAINTS. 



The examination of tbe linseed oil upon tbe markets of tbe State 

 was continued during tbe year. Tbe examination of oil made tbe 

 previous year showed that tbe oil sold in Pennsylvania, was of bet- 

 ter quality than was generally supposed, and tbe investigations 

 made during 1907 proved still more satisfactory. Tbe work done 

 in 1906 show that boiled oil is much more likely to be adulterated 

 than tbe raw oil. Another thing brougbt out by the examinations 

 was, that the adulterated oils were not the product of Pennsylva- 

 nia manufactories, but were imported from other states. 



The few prosecutions that were brougbt seemed to have a salu- 

 tary effect. One brand of oil that was being sold in tbe western 

 part of the State was entirely driven from tbe market. 



The small amount of money appropriated annually by tbe State 

 in providing for the examination of oils, is well expended. A very 

 large amount of money is expended every year by tbe property 

 owners of the State in keeping their buildings painted, and it is 

 very gratifying to them to be able to have some assurance that the 

 materials they are using, are not adulterated. 



The adulteration of linseed oil nearly always consist in tbe ad- 

 dition of benzine or mineral oils, which can usually be detected 

 by anyone accustomed to handling it, by means of the odor and 

 taste. Tbe appearance of the oil also to one accustomed to using 

 or handling it, is a pretty safe indication of its quality. Oil that 

 is adulterated by tbe addition of mineral oils, is likely to show sur- 

 face colorings that are different from the main body of the oil. 

 Other adulterants are rosin oil, low grades of fish oil and the lower 

 priced vegetable oils, such as corn and cottonseed oils. Much the 

 larger per cent, of adulteration was found in boiled oil, so that in 

 its purchase, it is necessary to be especially careful to secure an 

 article that is pure. 



In an article contributed to the "Chemical Engineer" by Prof. 

 Henry M. Loomis, who for two years, made the chemical examina- 

 tion of oil for this Department, Mr. Loomis, in speaking of tbe 

 tests for determining the purity of linseed oil, gives tbe following 

 directions: 



"(1) Appearance. Tbe oil should be clear and deposit very lit- 

 tle, if any, sediment on standing, but pure boiled oils are sometimes 

 slightly turbid. Mineral oils are decidedly fluorescent and I found 

 several cases in which mineral oil could be detected in linseed oil by 

 this property alone, but often tbe mineral oil used for adulterating 

 is treated so as to destroy the fluorescence, or "bloom," as it is 

 commonly called. Boiled oil should not be so thick as to require 

 thinning with turpentine, nor should it be too dark colored. 



