SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART V 329 



of an insanitary place, nor the short weight artist can remain in 

 business unless patronized. We strongly urge, as a means of co- 

 operating with this department, the patronizing of clean establish- 

 ments and honest dealers. 



NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT. 



In my report for the year 1912 I called attention to the need of a 

 new building in which quarters, meeting the requirements of our 

 offices and laboratories would be possible. Since then we have been 

 given some measure of relief by the enlargement, from time to timp. 

 of the quarters in the present building. 



This department has grown very rapidly. In part this has been 

 due to the placing in our hands additional laws to enforce, but more 

 especially to the increasing importance of Iowa as a food producing 

 and food manufacturing state. 



Our present location in an old flat-building is inadequate and not 

 adapted to facilitate the work we now have to do. The chemical 

 laboratories need rearrangement, and new equipment should be 

 provided. Separate rooms are needed for the proper handling of 

 our bacteriological work and a separate room should be provided 

 for the calibration of weights and measures. A fire-proof vault 

 should be built to store the state weight and measure standards; 

 the law covering this matter makes it the duty of the Commissioner 

 to keep these standards in a fire-proof building. The testing of 

 agricultural seeds calls for active work in the early spring, at which 

 time numerous samples are submitted for immediate report. While 

 we have sufficient apparatus to take care of the work, more ade- 

 quate quarters would permit of an arrangement whereby this 

 would be facilitated. 



A steam supply from the central power plant must soon be pro- 

 vided to operate numerous pieces of laboratory apparatus and our 

 electrical wiring should be put in a satisfactory condition; most 

 of the installation is old and of a temporary nature. Ventilating 

 and sewer systems are also inadequate. As our present building 

 cannot be used by us any length of time, I have not wasted money 

 to effect costly changes upon it. 



I trust the contemplated oft'ice building will be provided for by 

 ihe next General Assembly and that we may soon have relief from 

 these difficulties and facilities provided in order that we may con- 

 duct our work in a more business-like manner. 



