BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 451 



forms of spoilage. This work was especially needed to furnish data 

 for passing on samples submitted for examination under the law, 

 the microscope furnishing evidence as to the condition of the raw 

 material Avhich chemistry unaided could not supply. 



The work on mustards has been continued and that on charlock 

 is nearly completed. The importance of this weed as a substitute 

 for mustard has led to the examination of a considerable number of 

 commercial samples to determine the prevalence of this product on 

 the market. 



The condition of olives imported into this country was also investi- 

 gated, the examinations showing that certain grades are very liable 

 to be in a wormy condition, the worms having developed in the fruit 

 previous to packing; apparently this fruit was sorted out as a low- 

 grade product. 



Much preliminary work has also been done on the application of 

 microscopical methods to quantitative determinations. The work on 

 alkaloids embraces now the study of 66 different kinds, and has 

 yielded very gratifying results in its application to the identification 

 of some of these products. 



Paper samples have been examined during the past year for the 

 Government Printing Office, General Supply Committee, Post-Office 

 Department, and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and floor cov- 

 erings also for the General Supply Committee. Among the miscel- 

 laneous samples examined should also be mentioned paint pigments, 

 carpet samples for a determination of the kind of fiber used, and 

 samples of bone ash and cream thickeners. 



The samples examined in connection with the food and drugs act 

 include nearly 1,300 specimens, and among these are included ketch- 

 ups, eggs, fruit products, olives, cattle foods, cotton-seed meal. Most 

 of the drugs examined have been imported samples. A classified list 

 of the various samples reported during the year is as follows : 



General samples : 



Papers 2,735 



General food samples 602 



Stock foods 85 



Pigments 32 



Drugs 107 



Unclassified 371 



Total 3,932 



Interstate samples: 



Foods 764 



Stock foods 332 



Drugs 164 



Total 1,260 



Sum total 5,192 



ENOLOGICAL CHEMICAL RESEARCH. 



Grape and apple investigations at Sandusky, Ohio. — The eno- 

 logical chemical research, conducted by William B. Alwood at Char- 

 lottesville, Va., has followed in general the plan of previous years, 

 but the amount of field work done has been greatly increased. It 

 was found necessary in order to study thoroughly the grape crop used 



