Nlo. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 51 



a complne ind('x as to its contents. All that is required, lie reasons, 

 is that the title fairly gives notice of the subject of the Act, so as 

 reasonably to lead to an inquiry into its contents and meaning. 

 While not unexpected, this decision is of vital importance to those 

 placed in authority to enforce the pure food laws of Pennsylvania. 

 There can be no doubt that a law which enables official authority to 

 examine into the purity and wholesome qualities of liquor of all 

 kinds will have many secret enemies, some of whom quietly threaten 

 to effect an organization to combat prospective legislation, but the 

 law as interpreted by the Courts, will continue to be enforced so far 

 as lies within our power, with the limited authority which has been 

 placed at the command of this office. 



OFFICE WORK INCREASING. 



The office work of this Bureau, includiog the correspondence, is 

 constantly increasing and requires careful attention at the hands 

 of trained and experienced assistants. The Commissioner is almost 

 daily in receipt of special correspondence relating to the law, its 

 proper interpretation, so-called "rulings," "opinions," etc., which, 

 whether proper or otherwise, is sufficient to tax the ability of a 

 trained legal mind. The Commissioner regards it as his duty to 

 enforce the law, leaving its construction to the judiciary of the 

 Commonwealth, where it properly belongs. 



DISTRIBUTION OF THE PURE FOOD LAWS. 



Thousands of copies of a bulletin containing the Dairy and Food 

 Laws of Pennsylvania were printed for free distribution, and to 

 every one requesting information in regard to the laws, a copy of this 

 bulletin is sent. In view of the fact that during the coming session 

 of the Legislature some changes in the pure food laws of the State 

 are likely to be made, a new and revised edition of such laws will 

 be issued as soon as possible after the adjournment of that body. 



IMPROVEMENT IN MILK AND CREAM. 



The Commissioner has upon a number of occasions ordered exami- 

 nations of the milk and cream sold in various cities and boroughs. 

 In 1903, a total of two hundred and twenty-five samples of milk and 

 cream were purchased by special agents of the Bureau in Western 

 Pennsylvania. Upon analytical examination, sixty-two samples of 

 the above number were pronounced impure or adulterated, the same 

 containing formaldehyde, boracic acid or other preservatives, while 

 a few had been tampered with by watering, skimming, coloring, 

 etc. All of those who had violated the law were arrested and upon 

 conviction, sentenced to pay the usual fine and costs. In 1904 a close 

 canvass of the same territory resulted in the purchase and analysis 

 of over three hundred samples, and of this large number only three 

 violations of the law were discovered. This showing proved the 

 efficacy of the preceding year's operations in that section of the 

 Commonwealth. While the percentage of violations was remarkably 

 small, it is proper to say that other parts of Pennsylvania have pre- 

 sented records that are also encouraging, but somewhat less satis- 

 factory, since a larger percentage of suits were ordered as a result 

 of the continued use of preservatives, etc. 



