444 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



interpretation of results obtained in the analysis of beer sold on the 

 market. In connection with the study of imported foods, attention 

 has been o;iven to the character of lupulin im])orted by brewers for 

 use m the manufacture of beer. Many shipments are found to con- 

 tain an excessive amount of mineral matter, and the Treasury De- 

 partment has reciuired that the percentage of ash or mineral matter 

 oe stated on the label, provided the products are below the standard 

 strength of the Pharmacopoeia. 



MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS. 



A number of special investigations have been made, involving in 

 the aggregate much time and expense with a view to securing data 

 necessary to the enforcement of the food and drugs act. Among 

 these may be mentioned the following: The meaning of the term 

 "marascliino" and the composition of the product bearing that name, 

 samples of the genuine product from Zara, Austria, having been 

 collected by the American consul. Attention has been given to the 

 Spanish pimento, which is imported into the United States in con- 

 siderable quantities. This product is often sold as paprika, and ship- 

 ments frequently have an excessive amount of ash, due often to dirt 

 and sand clinging to the product and ground with it. As a whole it 

 has been found that the pure capsicums do not contain more than 6.5 

 per cent of mineral matter, but a special investigation is being made 

 regarding the normal ash content of this variety. 



Attention has been given to the Norwegian and Spanish anchovies, 

 and the department has held that they may be so designated, provided 

 the labels also contain in the English language the word "sprats," or 

 if labeled entirely in the Norwegian or Spanish language the label 

 bears the word "Brisling," or some other equally appropriate term 

 showing the true character of the fish. 



The manufacture and chemical composition of gelatin has been 

 studied, with a view to securing data by wliich gelatin made from 

 decomposed or other\vise inedible material might be distinguished. 



ANALYTICAL METHODS. 



For the sake of securing greater uniformity in analytical results 

 and to prove the efficiency of new methods that are proposed, samples 

 are sent from time to time to the various laboratories of the bureau 

 for examination and report. The results are carefully studied, and 

 where discrepancies occur (due often to the lack of detail in the state- 

 ment of the method) the matter is taken up by correspondence or by 

 the study of additional samples, until the difficulty is eliminated. 

 Among the methods studied in this manner during the last year are 

 methods for the detection and determination of organic acids in 

 common foods; methods for the detection of deterioration and decay 

 in such products as ketchups, jellies, and jams; methods for the 

 examination of noodles with a view to determining the amount of eggs 

 used in their preparation; methods for the examination of flavoring 

 extracts and essential oils. 



EXAMINATION OP FOODS FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS. 



From time to time during the year samples of foods have been 

 examined for other departments of the Government, such as the 

 Army, the Navy, the Panama Canal Commission, and the Insane 



