INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE BOAED. 



1095 



Unofficial samples of imported articles coming within the meaning 

 of the law are taken ancl transmitted to the Insecticide and Fungi- 

 cide Board at Washington for examination, when, if they are found 

 to be in violation of any of the provisions of the law, instructions 

 are given to detain, and submit an official sample of the next ship- 

 ment of the article. These instructions are issued to all port food 

 and drug laboratories. If the examination of the ofhcial sample con- 

 firms the previous findings as determined by the examination of the 

 unofficial sample, the facts are certified to the Secretary of the Treas- 

 ur}'- by the Secretary of Agriculture, in order that the proper customs 

 officials may be directed to exclude the article from entry into the 

 United States or take such other action as may be warranted. 



SAMPLE COLLECTION. 



In the beginning official samples of insecticides and fungicides were 

 collected by designated employees of the Bureaus of Chemistry, 

 Animal Industry, Plant Inoustry, and Entomology, whose bureau 

 assignments entailed more or less travel within prescribed limits. 

 The persons designated were selected with reference to their proximity 

 to the principal jobbing centers of the United States and their ability 

 to collect samples witnout material interference with their regular 

 bureau duties. This plan was followed successfully for several 

 months, owing to the wide distribution of the leading articles put out 

 by the larger companies. It ultimately became apparent, however, 

 that in order to effectively continue the work of sample collection, 

 it would be necessary to employ men who would devote their entire 

 time to sample collection, factory inspection, seizures, and special 

 investigations. Accordingly, one collector was appointed in January 

 and another in March of the present year, while several others will 

 be required, eventually, as the work develops. During the year, 

 650 samples were collected, representing 330 different articles pro- 

 duced by 212 different manufacturers, distributed as follows: 



Class. 



A rsenatc of Icarl 



Bordeaux jnixturc 



(^cosote and crrsvHc acid preparations 



Fly and moth killers , 



Formaldehyde 



Lice killers 



Lime-sulphur solution 



Nicotine prep)arations 



1 'aris preen 



I'Dtassium and sodium cyanide 



Pyrelhrum powders , 



Miscellaneous (including 120 different articles) 



Total 



EXAMINATION OF SAMPLES. 



At regular intervals all interstate and import samples which have 

 anived duiing the interim are assigned to the various members of 

 the board for analysis, test, study of labels, and the preparation of 

 reports embodying charges, if any, of adulteration or misbranding. 



