The Bulletin. 



103 



was much adulterated, but the condition has much improved and the 

 adulteration of tea is disappearing. 



There are several forms of adulteration of tea practiced. Ex- 

 hausted tea leaves and the leaves of other plants as well as some other 

 materials, such as soapstone, gypsum, etc., are added to tea to make 

 weight and as a polishing agent. After foreign matter, which re- 

 duces its strength, has been added to tea, artificial strength is given 

 it by the addition of catechu and some other materials rich in tannin. 



Much of the tea on the market is faced or coated to impart a gloss 

 and an attractive color. If that coating or coloring concealed dam- 

 age or inferiority it would, under the law, be clearly an adulteration, 

 but otherwise it is a disputed question. However, it appears to be 

 a senseless custom, and as it increases the cost of production without 

 improving the product, the practice should be discontinued. 



Sixteen samples of tea were examined, all of which appeared to be 

 of standard quality and no adulteration was found. One sample, 

 No. 5752, was not properly labeled. It should show name and 

 address of packer. 



AMINATION OF TEA. 



■§1 



Adulterants. 



50.27iNone found. 

 48.48'.._.do 



Remark«i and Conclusions. 



47.96 



....do. 



50. 19. ...do. 



52.51 

 57.35 

 43.36 

 48.72 

 52.81 

 54.50 



.do., 

 .do- 

 -do. 

 .do. 

 .do. 

 .do. 



51. 04. ...do. 



47.26 _.-. do. 



43.39 ...-do. 



45. 45;. ...do. 



43. 46.. ..do. 



i 

 50. 23.. _. do. 



Tea, black. 



Tea, green and black. 



do. 

 Tea blend. 



Tea, green and black. 

 Tea, black. 

 Tea, blend. 

 Tea, black. 

 Tea, blend. 



do. 

 Tea, black. 

 Tea, mixed. 

 Tea, black and green. 



do. 



Tea, black and green; not properly labeled, 

 package does not bear name and address of 

 packer, sale illegal. , 



Tea, blend. 



