202 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



buoyancy, rate of water absorption, and the material from which they 

 are made. Examinations have been made of samples of air, water, 

 and fish food for the Bureau of Fisheries. Investigations have been 

 made for the Treasury Department in reference to the classification 

 of various goods for dutiable purposes. At the request of the 

 Attorne}^ General, investigations have been made of the effect of 

 smelter fumes on vegetation. These are merely a few illustrations of 

 a large number of investigations that have been made at the request 

 of other departments. 



DRUG INVESTIGATION. 



On March 1, 1003, a drug laboratory was established in the Bureau 

 of Chemistry for the purpose of studying chemicals and drugs. 

 Valuable results have been secured. Extensive investigations of 

 chemical reagents have been made with the view of securing more 

 reliable chemicals for analytical work. Data have been collected for 

 use in establishing standards. 



The work done by the drug laboratory for the Post Office Depart- 

 ment has been of special interest. Examinations have been made of 

 a large number of remedies and fake cures of various kinds at the 

 request of that department to assist in the enforcement of the law 

 to prevent the use of the mails for fraudulent purposes. As a result 

 of this work many worthless fakes have been denied the use of the 

 mails. 



EDUCATIONAL AVORK. 



The bureau has emphasized the value of educational work in con- 

 junction with scientific investigations, endeavoring to make the data 

 secured available for agricultural chemists and for other agricultural 

 workers. 



In connection with the denatured alcohol experimental work, de- 

 scribed in another part of this report, a class in the art of distilling 

 was conducted. Men from various State experiment stations were 

 instructed in the processes of fermentation and distilling by actual 

 experimental work in a model distillery plant, and by lectures by 

 experts on the various phases of the work. 



FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. 



On June 30, 1906, the food and drugs act, commonly called the pure- 

 food law, was passed. Since that time a large part of the activities 

 of the Bureau of Chemistry has been directed toward the inspection 

 and scientific work connected with the enforcement of that law. 



