68 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



bulletin containing these and other statutes pertaining to dairy and 

 pure food subjects. These bulletins are supplied free of charge to 

 the thousands of linns and individuals who ask for information. 

 A limited edition of the new laws was also printed in sheet form, 

 for more general distribution amongst these specially interested. 

 The Dairy and Food Commissioner believes in entire fairness toward 

 all classes, and consequently made a special effort to inform those 

 particularly iuterested in the new legislation as to its requirements, 

 and the duties of those who were affected by the change in laws. 

 Of course, the Commissioner could not be expected to offer full 

 interpretations of such laws, as that part naturally devolves upon 

 the manufacturer and dealers or their legal counsel, who are sup- 

 posed to be entirely familiar with the component parts of the goods 

 under inquiry. 



THE PURE FOOD ACT OF 1895. 



The Pure Food Act of June 26, 1895, with the exception of those 

 parts referring to drink, has again successfully withstood the re- 

 peated attacks which were made upon it during the year now ending. 

 A large majority of the food prosecutions ordered were charged upon 

 violations of this statute. As intimated in another paragraph of 

 this report, it is to be earnestly hoped that the members of the next 

 regular session of the Legislature will still further strengthen the 

 law, and make such amendments as past experiences will readily 

 suggest. Unfavorable criticism and continued agitation is neither 

 beneficial nor desirable. 



NEW CHEMICAL LABORATORY ESTABLISHED. 



Since the preceding annual report was issued, a well equipped 

 chemical laboratory has been established in this city, for the use 

 of the Department of Agriculture and its various sub-divisions. The 

 work rendered for the Dairy and Food Division has been especially 

 valuable and helpful, and with the constant increase and diversity 

 of the work already assigned, its future usefulness and the magni- 

 tude of its importance can scarcely be overestimated. 



The several chemists on regular duty, Professors Fuller and 

 Loomis. are also making numerous special researches and original in- 

 vestigations into various matters pertaining to chemistry that will 

 materially assist and expedite future work. 



It is hardly necessary to state that the acquisition of these addi- 

 tional laboratory facilities is heartily appreciated by the officials 

 of the Department of Agriculture. 



CHEMICAL LABORATORIES NOT FOR PUBLIC USE. 



There has been an entirely wrong conception in the minds of 

 many food producers and distributors regarding the right or duty 

 of the Dairy and Food Commissioner upon the question of analyzing 

 samples that might be submitted by them, and, consequently, issuing 

 for their commercial use, certificates of purity. This system would 

 work incalculable harm, even if it were practicable, since it has 

 been repeatedly proven that many producers change formulas to 

 suit their own interests and local conditions, or to meet competition, 

 as circumstances may prompt. It is also known that apparently 



