:f J. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 15 



serted in the law so that a small fee, sufficient only to meet the 

 expense, could be charged for this work, it wonld afford the Bureau 

 much needed relief. 



Reciuests for this work are increasing, and if an attempt is made 

 to comply with them it will demand many hours of the microscopist's 

 time. Manufacturers of feeds very often request, in addition to a 

 chemical analysis, a statement of the comi^ositiou of the material or 

 the names of ingredients entering into the mixture, and this in- 

 formation can only be secured by use of the microscope. 



The Chief Chemist in charge of the Bureau, in connection with his 

 report of work done, makes the following statements: 



"The office work during the year has been very considerable and 

 has at times taxed the capacity of those in charge. During the year, 

 we have sent out over two thousand letters in answer to inquiries 

 concerning the interpretation of the laws, Avhich we are trying to 

 enforce, and for many other purposes which would naturally 

 arise during the carrying on of chemical work. We have also sent 

 out over three thousand reports of analyses of feeding stuffs, Paris 

 green and lius; ed oil, examined by this Bureau. This work will prob- 

 ably be increased during the coming year, inasmuch as the number 

 of all samples examisied are continually increasing, and also because 

 we have been requested to furnish the manufacturers, as well as 

 the dealers of Paris green and linseed oil, in addition to those dealing 

 in feeds, with the reports of the results of analysis on their materials. 

 This is a just and important part of the work, as it is neci'ssary to 

 notify the parties concerned, whether or not, their material is of the 

 proper purity or comes within the requirements of the law. Espec- 

 ially is this so in cases where material has been found adulterated, 

 as t'te manufacturers and dealers must be warned not to sell inferior " 

 articles, and that they must properly guarantee their goods to com- 

 ply with tho r( quirements of the laws. It has been found that when 

 these reports or warnings have been sent, in the majority of cases, 

 the parties mentioned have been very glad to be potified of the fact 

 that they have been violating the law, and they have shown a will- 

 ingness to do all in their power to sell pure goods and sell them 

 legally. 



''We have on our mailing list over three thousand names of manu- 

 facturers and dealers of feeding stuffs, linseed oil and Paris green, 

 lo which bulletins or published reports of our work have been sent, 

 by request. In addition to this, we have been asked to send out 

 many more bulletins to others interested in our work. 



"We have also sent out several hundred circular letters to the 

 trade and the press, concer: irg the taking effect of the laws under 

 which we are working, and the rulinrs on the same. 



''The keeping of the record books, in which the reports of analysis 

 are kept and from which the reports are made to the Secretary of 

 Agriculture and to the nmnnfarturers and dealers of the articles 

 examined, as well as the keeping of expense accounts, also occupied 

 much of the time of thi^ Chief Chemist and his clerk. Owing to the 

 large amount of this work, it has prevented the Chief Chemist from 

 devoting time to the detail of the laboratory work, which, in many 

 cases, would have been more desirable. This has be(>n unavoidable 

 because of the fact that it was necessary to devote this time to keep- 

 ing the record books and the account books in a proper condition. 



