No. 6. DEPARTiMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 207 



of Af2:i'iculture, those in which variations were found to occur, were 

 carefully considered and where guarantees were found to be false 

 or feeds were adulterated, and especially where intent to misrepre- 

 sent the product was apparent, prosecutions were ordered by the 

 Secretary of Agriculture. 



During the year there were 34 prosecutions ordered, 10 of tliese 

 cases being on samples secured during December, 1914, and reported 

 early in the year, where it was found action was necessary to im- 

 press the fact tliat the requirements of the law should be complied 

 with. After making special investigation in tliese cases and securing 

 additional information, it was deemed inadvisable to press them all 

 for conviction, and accordingly all but three were adjusted by the 

 magistrates by the payment of costs, but without payment of fine, 

 as the defendants and the manufacturers promised the Department 

 that there would be no further violations. Fines of .|50 each were 

 received in the three cases referred to. Of the number of cases or- 

 dered, fines of |50 each were paid in 21 cases during the year, 

 amounting to |1,050, which was immediately paid to the State 

 Treasurer as required. Two of the cases ordered are still pending 

 and a few others were adjusted without payment of fines. The vio- 

 lations consisted for the most part of false guarantees for protein, 

 fat and fiber and adulterations with weed seeds. A number of these 

 violations were minor in their character and of such a nature that 

 it was thought inadvisable to take drastic action. Where minor 

 violations occurred, and where no action was taken, the parties 

 responsible were notified and in practically every case showed a 

 willingness to comply with the requirements of the law. A report 

 of tlie field work shov>^s that all feed dealers are co-operating with 

 the Department in the work and are unanimous in their belief that 

 the enforcement of the law is of great benefit to the trade in bringin'.'; 

 the quality of the feed sold in the State to a high standard and pro- 

 tecting consumers from purchasing misbranded and inferior goods. 



During the year the number of special samples sent to the Depart- 

 ment for analysis was 225. The fees received for the analysis of 

 these samples amounted to S225, which was paid to the State Treas- 

 urer, as required. These samples were all analyzed and reports made 

 to the senders as soon as possible after they were received. In a 

 number of cases requests were made for a microscopical examina- 

 tion to determine the presence of adulterants or for the purpose of 

 finding out whether or not the feed in question was in any way 

 damaged or unfit for feeding purposes. Where these requests were 

 received, they were complied with. Receipts for the fees submitted 

 also accompanied each report. The analysis of these special samples 

 has made it possible for a number of purchasers to be reinibursed 

 where it was found in the case of cottonseed meals, the analysis 

 did not meet the guarantees. In many other cases samples were sub- 

 mitted for the purpose of finding out what guarantees should be 

 given where they were to be offered for sale and registered with the 

 Department. The analysis of these special samples, therefore, lias 

 been of great assistance to many in making it possible for the proper 

 labeling and guaranteeing of a number of brands of feeds which 

 were to be placed on sale in the State. While the amount of charge 

 does not cover the cost of analysis, it is believed tliat tliis provision 

 in the law has been of great assistance, not only to those who wish 



