No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 81 



acid found in pickles, were introduced, it is deemed impracticable to 

 bring to a successful termination prosecutions based upon evidence 

 no^ obtainable of the introduction of alum into pickles, for in the 

 case of pickles, even though all the constituents that unite to form 

 potash alum be discovered by the chemist, it is impossible, since pot- 

 ash is always present in the vegetable, and varies in the proportion 

 present therein, to prove that the potash found was introduced into 

 the pickles in association with the alumina and the sulphuric acid in 

 the form of potash alum. 



FRUIT BUTTERS, JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES 



Of this important class of products, 74 were examined during 1010 

 without the discovery of any violations of the act. In the list of 

 prosecutions terminated, there appear two cases instituted because of 

 the use of sulphurous acid in the preparation of dried peaches. These 

 prosecutions were instituted under the Act of 1907, but failed of suc- 

 cessful termination for the reason that the Act was declared uncon- 

 stitutional and later repealed by the Act of 1909. 



In the same connection, mav be mentioned the examination of five 

 samples of fruit syrups of which number three were found to be adul- 

 terated and prosecutions successfully terminated for violations of the 

 law. 



VINEGAR 



There were examined in 1910, 25 samples of vinegar, most of which 

 were sold as cider vinegai', and six cases were successfully prosecuted 

 for adulteration. There is still on sale a considerable volume of spur- 

 ious vinegar sold as if derived from pure apple juice. The variety of 

 adulteration that has arisen in this manufacture shows a resourceful- 

 ness that would be admirable in a better cause. The difficulty of the 

 enforcement of the law has been increased in this class of cases by 

 the expectation on the part of the public that the evidence should not 

 only prove conclusively that the article is not what it claims to be, but 

 also that it should suffice to establish what the article really is. It 

 is fair to ask why more should be expected in the way of proof than 

 the presentation of conclusive evidence that the article does not cor- 

 respond to the name under which it was sold. 



BAKERY PRODUCTS 



There were analyzed in connection with the work of the year, 122 

 samples of biscuit, cakes, pies and puddings. The examination re- 

 vealed very few instances of adulteration, but those which were dis- 

 covered were of peculiar interest. Seven samples of "frou frou 

 wafers", an imported product, were found to contain a boric acid pre- 

 servative. A number of samples of ice cream cones were examined, 



6—7—1910 



