BUREAU Of CHEMISTRY. 583 



sistants was engaged in the special egg investigation conducted at 

 Omaha by the food research laboratory. In April, 1912. preparations 

 were made for resuming this work, which commenced in May and 

 continued throughout May and June. 



Philadelphia laboiutory. — During the year certain investigations 

 have been carried on. among which were studies of tlie best methods 

 of estimation of crude fiber in prepared mustard and examination of 

 certain samples of paprika pods of known history for the purpose of 

 obtaining data of value in the detection of added oil. Various types 

 of cherry ))roducts obtained from Avild and cultivated and the maras- 

 chino cheriy, both commercial and of known origin, some home made, 

 have been examined during the 3'ear, in order that the composition of 

 various cherry products could be determined. In the course of the 

 examiiuition of some of these commercial samples one product sold as 

 wild cheriy was found to contain considerable quantities of formic 

 acid, which was undoubtedly added as preservative. Investigations 

 were also made on methods for the separation and identification of 

 coal-tar colors in mixtures and on various flavoring extracts of known 

 composition. A considerable amount of time throughout the year 

 was required in obtaining evidence regarding the views of the trade 

 on ingredients, methods of manufacture, etc., on "Apricot cordial " 

 and "Best quality white syrup;" also as to the meaning of the term 

 " INIocha " coft'ee as it is understood at the present time among whole- 

 sale grocers. During June a small milk campaign was conducted, in 

 which about 100 samples of milk, which had been in interstate com- 

 merce and intended for consumption in Philadelphia, were examined; 

 the milk was generally a very high grade, and only a few samples 

 were found to which objection could be made. 



Owing to the shortage of the potato crop last year vast quantities 

 of potatoes were imported through this port during the winter and 

 spring from Ireland and Scotland, and the laboratory Avas required 

 to condemn large quantities of potatoes, which had been frozen either 

 on the boats or on the piers before delivery or had rotted in transit. 

 During the year at various times chemists from "Washington were sta- 

 tioned here temporarily for the purpose of conducting certain inves- 

 tigations into the methods of manufacture, ingredients, and composi- 

 tion of beer, particularly all malt beer made without the use of any 

 malt sul)stitutes. The manufacture of gelatin was investigated in 

 somewhat the same manner. 



PiTrsiuncH L.\noRATORY. — A number of samples were examined for 

 the Treasury Dejiartment and assistance given the Post Oflice De- 

 partmt^nt in a drug case which involved the use of the mails for 

 fraudulent purposes. The oJfender in this case received both a hue 

 and jail sentence. Cooperation with the internal-revenue department 

 resulted in the seizure by this department of a quantity of so-called 

 temperance beer shipped into dry territory and the securing of a 

 numlx'r of cases against the offenders by this department, these 

 products being beer under another name. Assistance was rendered 

 the Pennsylvania State authorities against varnished candies and has 

 resulted in their elimination from the markets of tliis State, the 

 fudircs which were the principal kind of candies varnished having 

 now the natural dull appearance due to the ingredients used. A 

 few samples of candy varnished with shellac were found to contain 



