16 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



"(2) Odor. Mineral oil, benzine, rosin oil or fish oil can generally 

 be detected by the odor, especially upon heating a small quantity of 

 the sample either by rubbing it vigorously between the hands for 

 a few seconds, or warming over a lamp or candle flame in a small 

 vessel. 



"(3) Drying Test. The oil is spread in very thin layers on a glass 

 plate and maintained at a fairly uniform temperature of about 60 

 degrees to 7U degrees. Boiled oil should be dry completely in at 

 least 40 hours and raw oils in 72 hours. The dry film should be 

 tough and elastic when peeled. This test serves best as a compara- 

 tive one on several samples, and should be tried in clear weather as 

 far as possible, but the plates should not be exposed to direct sun- 

 light." 



A great deal of complaint is made concerning the character of 

 mixed i>aints and varnishes, sold in the State. Other states seem 

 to have the same trouble and in some, laws have been enacted pro- 

 viding for their examination and prescribing the properties they 

 shall possess. A few states also have laws regulating the sale of tur- 

 pentine and providing for its purity. 



The subject of paints, varnishes and turpentine is of sufticient im- 

 portance to be taken up by our General Assembl}', with a view to 

 providing some measures by which the quality of these commodi- 

 ties sold in Pennsylvania, may be improved. A bill of this char- 

 acter was before the Legislature at its last session, but failed to be- 

 come a law. 



AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. 



The report of the Deputy Secretary states that in 1906 the ag- 

 gregate attendance at county fairs reached 1,829,389. It is further 

 fetated that these fairs show that there was a gain over the pre- 

 vious year of 854,289, or almost double the attendance for 1905. 



The amount paid out in premiums was ^99,003.82 as against $116,- 

 039.32 paid out in 1905. The premium lists issued by the societies 

 holding fairs offer for 1907 the liberal sum of |159,145, an increase 

 of 116,489.50 in 1905. 



There are a number of Agricultural Societies or Associations in 

 the State that do not hold fairs, which devote their funds and ener- 

 gies to other educational work of great value, whose influence for 

 good is recognized by this Department, and with whom we are al- 

 ways glad to co-operate. The meetings of some of these associa- 

 tions attract some of the best public teachers of Agricultural 

 Science in the entire country and, therefore, deserve all the recog- 

 nition and assistance this depn-'^^^'-nt is able to give. 



The continued agitation by the public press, of the subject of sup- 

 pressing all immoral and objectionable features, that seemed to be 

 obtaining an established position in some of the fairs held in the 

 State, has not been in vain and conditions have been greatly im- 

 proved. While our State recognizes the very great good that can be 

 accomplished in behalf of Agriculture, by well conducted county 

 fairs, it cannot afford to make any appropriation of public money in 

 any direction or for any purpose where just criticism or adverse 

 comment can be sustained. 



The reports received by the Department show that the fairs of 

 1907 were among the most successful, in point of interest and at- 

 tendance, in the history of the State, and that the exhibits were 



