404 



ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTTJEE. 



were examined as to their legal form and sufficiency, 

 new regulations were likewise examined. 



THE VIRUS ACT (37 Stat. 832). 



A number of 



No violations of the act of March 4, 1913 (37 Stat. 832), governing 

 the i^reparation, shipment, and importaton of viruses, serums, toxins, 

 and analogous products intended for use in the tre'atment of domestic 

 animals, w^ere reported to the Attorney General, and no case was 

 pending at the close of 1916. 



In several cases involving the suspension or revocation of licenses 

 issued by the Secretary to manufacturers of these products the testi- 

 mony gi.ven at the hearings was reviewed by this office and the Sec- 

 retary advised as to its legal effect. 



THE INSECTICIDE ACT (36 Stat. 331). 



Eighty-nine cases were reported to the Attorney General, in 84 

 of which criminal proceedings and in 5 seizures were recommended. 

 At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 58 cases were pending, of which 

 54 were criminal prosecutions and 4 were seizures. Forty cases 

 pending at the close of the year 1916 and 62 reported during the 

 year 1917, in all 102, were terminated in 1917. Of the cases termi- 

 nated, 96 were criminal and 6 civil. In the 96 criminal cases 2 viola- 

 tions were combined with others for the purpose of prosecution; 

 fines were imposed in 75; sentence was suspended in 1; 17 were 

 dropped or dismissed. After the combination for purpose of prose- 

 cution, in 62 pleas of guilty, 16 pleas of nolo contendere, and 1 a 

 plea of non vult were entered. 



In the criminal cases in which convictions were obtained the fines 

 were as follows: 



Costs were assessed in a considerable number of cases in which 

 convictions were obtained. Decrees of condemnation and forfeiture 

 were entered in 3 civil cases ; in 2 decrees were entered ordering goods 

 destroyed, and 1 case was dismissed. At the close of the year 44 cases 

 were pending, of which 41 were criminal prosecutions and 3 seizures. 



During the year 78 notices of judgment were j)repared. 



THE LACEY ACT (35 Stat. 1137). 



Forty cases were reported to the Department of Justice. At the 

 close of the preceding fiscal year 29 cases were pending, of which 18 

 were closed during this fiscal year, 16 by convictions and the impo- 

 sition of fines, 1 by acquittal, and 1 by dismissal. 



