588 



ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



in 58 the packages were broken or disposed of before seizure could be 

 made, or were destroyed by city or State officials or voluntarily by the 

 owner before seizure; in 6, verdicts were returned for the Govern- 

 ment after trial and in one a verdict for the claimant. In two cases 

 the goods were released to the claimant without a decree, and in one 

 the goods were destroyed without decree. In two of the cases that 

 were tried a verdict for the Government was returned on the mis- 

 branding charge and for the claimant on the adulteration charge. 

 In the 1,149 cases in which decrees of condemnation and forfeiture 

 were entered the goods were destroyed in 762, released on bond or 

 otherwise in 296, sold in 49; in 23 cases the marshal was instructed 

 to sell the goods or destroy them at his discretion; in 17 cases, the 

 goods forfeited being wholesome, were delivered to charitable institu- 

 tions; in 2 cases the goods were delivered to fish hatcheries for fish 

 food. 



Fines imposed in food and drug cases begun by United States attorneys on reports of 



State authorities. 



One thousand one hundred and fifty notices of judgment were 

 prepared and pubhshed during the year. 



THE INSECTICIDE ACT. 



Ninety-nine cases were reported to the Department of Justice, 68 

 for criminal prosecutions and 31 for seizures. Seventy-six cases 

 pending at the close of the preceding fiscal year and 53 cases reported 

 during this fiscal year, in all 129 cases, were terminated during the 

 year. Of the cases terminated, 84 were criminal and 45 were civil. 

 Fines were imposed in 72 criminal cases and 12 were dropped or dis- 

 missed. Pleas of "guilty" were entered in 59 cases, pleas of nolo 

 contendere were entered in 9, and verdicts of "guilty" were rendered 

 in 4. Decrees of condemnation and forfeiture were entered in 40 

 cases. 



Fines imposed under the insecticide act. 



One hundred notices of judgment were prepared and published. 



