92 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



speedily overcame this abuse. Tlie problem received special atten- 

 tion, and the Dairy and Food Division loolvs upon this achievement 

 with considerable pride. The too common plan of using a ''thick- 

 ener" in low grade cream and a coloring material to make it look 

 rich and better than it realh' was, is no longer a feature of every 

 day dairy practice. The keen competition of rival creamery pro- 

 prietors may be responsible for some trade evils, but ''cream thick- 

 eners" and ''artificial coloring" was more than they could support, 

 except at a heavy loss. 



ANALYTICAL. WORK OF THE DIVISION. 



The chemical laboratory work of the Dairy and Food Division 

 has assumed large x>roportions, as the analytical reports published 

 in the Monthly Bulletin will attest. The equipment of the labora- 

 tory at Harrisburg is first-class, being supplied with entirely new 

 and modern paraphernalia. A detailed report of the operations of 

 the Harrisburg, West Chester, Pittsburg and Erie laboratories 

 would make interesting reading. A large amount of experimental 

 work was also performed. The results will be published by the 

 National Department of Agriculture and in the If^tate publications. 

 In view of the gr(^at interest in the use of coal-tar colors and chem- 

 ical preservatives, these investigations will attract wide attention. 

 The Pennsylvania chemists will therefore be of great practical ser- 

 vice to the Nation and State, and to the consumers, generally. 



THE STEWARDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



The International Stewards' Association has rendered noble ser- 

 vice in promulgating the pure food doctrine, not only through the 

 medium of its ofiflcial publication but also in practice. The Pennsyl- 

 vania and Philadelphia branch of the association are among the 

 strongest and staunchest supporters of pure food legislation. Their 

 efforts are worthy of commendation. It is but proper to add that 

 the leading hotel stewards of the State and Nation recognize Penn- 

 sylvania's attitude in the enforcement of the laws that assure a bet- 

 ter and more healthful food supply. They realize the responsibility 

 of their positions in feeding the masses, and the Dairy and Food 

 Division hereby offers this grateful tribute for their devotion to a 

 cause that possesses such high merit. 



TESTING FOR BUTTER SUBSTITUTES. 



Letters from housewives have reached this Division, asking for 

 a simple test by which adulterations or substitutes in butter could 

 readily be detected. The violations of law relative to butter usual- 

 ly consist of the substitution of renovated butter and oleomargarine 

 or butterine for the genuine article, or the sale of butter containing 

 an excessive amount of water. To distinguish the three articles 

 named, follow these directions carefullv: 



"A small portion of the butter (size of a hazlenut) is placed in an 

 ordinary table spoon and heated over a low flame (alcohol lamp, etc.) 

 to the boiling point, stirring constantly with a toothpick or some 



