No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 55 



foreign countries have strict laws upon this subject, which place 

 under ban many of the pigments used in the United States. This 

 may be due to the fact that they have made more extensive experi- 

 ments on the physiological effects of coloring agents. It is worthy 

 of special note that the leading jobbers of colors for American con- 

 fectionery houses are now striving to procure and handle only the 

 colors pronounced harmless by the best German chemists. The use 

 of certain iron compounds to simulate chocolate coloring is decidedly 

 objectionable. One of these compounds, namely, burnt umber, was 

 found in various samples. 



FRUIT SYRUPS AND SODA FOUNTAIN SUPPLIES. 



The magnitude of the soda water fountain business in Pennsyl- 

 vania, as elsewhere, has led to various forms of adulteration and 

 deception, harmful and otherwise, and repeated complaints on the 

 part of consumers received by the Commissioner led to a careful 

 examination into the manufacture and sale of fruit syrups and other 

 articles dispensed at such fountains. The results were varied and 

 also unsatisfactory, owing to the fact that certain brands of so- 

 called "fruit syrups" did not contain a particle of the fruit after 

 which they were named. Other preparations contained chemical 

 preservatives and coal-tar dyes to aid the deception. The same old 

 story of "strong competition" was in some instances alleged as suffi- 

 cient excuse for the unlawful practice and consequent cheapened 

 and harmful condition of the goods placed upon the markets. Some 

 of the leading and most reputable druggists also added their com 

 plaints to those of the consumers, and it was not long until numer- 

 ous indifferent druggists and other vendors were prosecuted, be- 

 cause of the sale of illegal syrups through the medium of the soda 

 water fountain. The preservatives employed are various in form 

 and effect, but the health of a long-suffering public can no longer be 

 trifled with. It is the duty of those who dispense all kinds of drink 

 to ascertain that such articles comply with the law and are not 

 injurious to health, and it is safe to predict that the coming Legis- 

 lature will be asked to pass special legislation upon this subject. 

 With an army of nearly 35,000 druggists and confectioners in Penn- 

 sylvania, selling soda water and soft drinks, many of which are harm- 

 ful and others of doubtful character, their capability for harm, if 

 unrestricted, is almost incalculable. 



The preliminary examination made into the sale of Bigarreaux 

 cherries was also disappointing, showing that many brands con- 

 tained large amounts of chemical preservatives, coal-tar colors, etc. 

 These will also be the subject of a special investigation, as they 

 are too frequently found to contain chemical preservatives and the 

 alluring coal-tar pigments, 



WATCHFUL FOR UNLICENSED DEALERS. 



The proper enforcement of the oleomargarine and renovated but- 

 ter laws entails a large amount. of labor, and this Bureau is fre- 

 quently obliged to make special investigations of alleged violations 

 of these laws. In a number of cases peddlers or canvassers and 

 nomadic dealers were found to be selling oleomargarine instead of 

 the fresh dairy butter, which the patrons supposed they were get- 



