80 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Some of the leading trade organizations of the State have registered their 

 protest against the evil of substitution, believing that patrons have rights 

 which should be respected and that if they do not have in stock the goods 

 demanded, an explanation should be given, and the purchase of a substitute 

 be left entirely to the discretion and judgment of the buyer. 



liVIPQSITIQN IN SELLING STORAGE EGGS. 



While it is true that jokes relative to the sale of cold-storage eggs have be- 

 come almost as stale as the "hen-fruit" proper, there remains no doubt as to 

 the attitude of the Dairy and Food Division upon the subject of imposing upon 

 the consumer as choice, fresh eggs, stock that is of entirely unknown vintage, 

 and unfit for food. The evil has assumed such large proportions that former 

 references appeared in the publications of this Bureau, appealing for remedial 

 legislation at the hands of the Legislature, but without any tangible results. 



In many sections of the State, merchants are now equipped to store large 

 quantities of eggs, and as the stock is collected and placed in cold storage 

 wlien prices are at the lowest ebb and retained until the market reaches the 

 zenith in price, it is unloaded at very considerable gain. So far as the local 

 demand for such stock is concerned, it is usually very limited; consequently 

 the eggs are consigned to the city markets where they are only too frequently 

 sold to the unsuspecting consumer as fresh laid eggs and at correspondingly 

 high prices. Some dealers will not knowingly deceive their patrons, but some 

 plan should be devised whereby storage eggs might be readily distinguished by 

 marks and dates, so that even a child could buy intelligently and escape decep- 

 tion, annoyance and financial loss. 



It is for this special reason that remedial legislation is again earnestly 

 recommended. Never in the history of the State have eggs commanded a higher 

 average figure than during 1907. 



BETTER LARD LAW NEEDED. 



The Lard Act now on the statute book was approved June 8th, 1891, and 

 provides that lard sold as such must be the pure fat of swine, and wholly 

 derived from the fat of swine. Lard that does not comply with this require- 

 ment must be sold in packages or wrappers on which is plainly marked on the 

 outside in letters not less than one-half inch in length, the words, "Compound 

 Lard." This act has not fully met all requirements, and certain changes 

 will be recommended when the Legislature again convenes. 



While the illegal sales of compound lard as pure lard are less frequent than 

 at any previous period, there is no doubt but that in isolated sections, this 

 inaposition continues. Wherever a consumer has a good foundation for the 

 belief that the law is being violated, the matter should be reported to this 

 Bureau. 



The plea that it was almost impracticable to handle and sell pure lard during 

 the warm season is not well founded, and there is no reason why the house- 

 wife should not know what quality of lard she is buying — whether it is the pure 

 fat of swine, or tlie combination of various lard substitutes under an alias. 



Because of the faulty construction of the present lard law, many former 

 prosecutions were brought under the Pure Food Law approved June 26, 1895, 

 and invariably carried to a successful termination, whether tried in the county 

 courts or before magistrates. A stronger and more drastic law is a necessity, 

 however. 



THE APIARIES OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



The honey producers of Pennsylvania have reasons for rejoicing because 

 counterfeit and adulterated honey is no longer to be found on the shelves of 

 the grocers. Several years ago, the adulterated article was extremely com- 

 mon, as our chemists' reports proved, and only too frequently was sold as 

 the genuine product of the honey-bee. The Dairy and Food authorities kept 

 up an incessant warfare upon the fraud until the spurious substitute was 

 entirely driven from our State. The proper labelling of honey has als<f been 

 helpful, and the strong criticism made against the illegal sale of counterfeit 

 goods has brought forth good results, and pure honey. The apiary in Penn- 

 sylvania brings to the owners a large amount of money, and the aggregate 

 value of the honey produced, sold or consumed in the State is surprisingly 

 large, because of the increased mterest and greater possibilities for gain. 



The bee-keepers have an effective organization, with the leading apiarists 

 enrolled, and taking an active interest in all matters that can advance their 

 cause. They hold regular meetings, and may be regarded as one of the many 

 organizations that will be a strong ally of the department of Agriculture In 

 its praiseworthy ambition to help all branches of industry. 



