212 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



the receipt of each sample reports were returned to the senders show- 

 ing the resenlts of test for pnrity and including a Teceipt of the fees 

 received. In a number of these special samples it was found that the 

 purity test was less than that required and where the seeds were 

 recleaned and additional samples tested, the foreign seeds were 

 largely removed making it possible for the lot of seed samples to be 

 legally offered for sale. This work has proved of great assistance 

 to those seed growers and seedsmen who are desirous of selling pure 

 seed and the opportunity of having samples tested for a small fee 

 by the Department is being taken advantage of as will be noted by 

 the number of special samples submitted. The Bureau co-operated 

 in the work of the Association of Seed Analysts of North America 

 by making purity tests in a few standard samples of seeds which 

 were sent in to be examined by the Seed Analyst. In December the 

 Seed Analyst of the Bureau attended the annual meeting of the 

 Association of Seed Analysts representing the Department in this 

 work. The results of the co-operative work and the information 

 secured at the meeting proved that the work of testing seeds for 

 purity was being carefully and accurately performed by this De- 

 partment. 



As soon as possible after the close of the year, Bulletins were pre- 

 pared showing the results of the feeding stuffs, linseed oil and seeds 

 inspection work. The feeding stuffs report made up 221 pages, the 

 linseed oil, 20 pages, and the seed report, 36 pages. These Bulletins 

 Avere mailed to approximately 6.000 manufacturers of and dealers in 

 feeding stuffs and linseed oil, and to several hundred seedsmen by 

 the Bureau of Distribution of Documents. The establishment of a 

 Bureau to take care of the mailing of large numbers of reports has 

 relieved this Bureau of this clerical work. 



In November, the Departm.ent was represented at the annual meet- 

 ing of the Association of Feed Control Officials of the United States 

 by the Chief Chemist and General Agent. These meetings prove of 

 great value to the officials of all the states, as many problems aris- 

 ing in the various localities are discussed., definitions agreed upon 

 for the various feeding stuffs by-products and other matters y^er- 

 taining to the work are brought before the meeting. A committee 

 was appointed by the Association, of which the Chief Chemist is a 

 member, to make a further study of the character of the product 

 knowns as "Eefuse Middlings." which is being sold as a feeding 

 stuff and which is a by-product or residue froin the manufacture 

 of tim plate. In some localities it was found that these middlings 

 contain small particles or slivers of tin which will cause harm wiien 

 fed to stock. The ]argr>r manufacturing concerns have arranged to 

 introduce electro magnets in their plants which would remove these 

 large pieces, however, it was thought advisable to note what effect, 

 if any, the small amount or traces of tin would have upon stock fed 

 this material. Accordingly arrangements Avere made with the Live- 

 stock Sanitary Board whereby this feed, during the coming year, 

 will be tested and the results of the feeding tests together with the 

 analysis of the product will be reported at the 1916 meetinsr of the 

 Association. One of the large manufacturers putting out this pro- 

 duct, located in Pittsburgh, have shipped two tons, free of charge, 

 to the Veterinary Department at Philadelphia with which to carry 

 on the feeding exneriment. 



