Commissioner of Agriculture 90 



the finished product harmful is prohibited. The sale of other 

 food products which by their composition or make-up would tech- 

 nically be adulterations as adulteration is defined in the statute, 

 or would be technically misbranded as defined in the statute, 

 would be prohibited under certain conditions ; namely, such 

 goods as are known under their own distinctive names and sold 

 under that name, presumptively the theory being that they are 

 so well known to the public that the purchaser is not deceived. 

 The sale of other goods that would be either misbranded or 

 adulterated in a technical sense is permitted as not being mis- 

 branded or adulterated if they are plainly marked to show that 

 they are mixtures, compounds, combinations, imitations, or blends, 

 and provided further that they are marked to show their con- 

 stituents. 



Under this statute the food products sold in the State are as a 

 whole pure and wholesome within the meaning of the statute, and 

 such as are not sold under their own distinctive names are branded 

 to show their character and constituents. Of course there are a 

 few exceptions, but they are small as compared with the quantity 

 of the goods sold. To illustrate, out of all the samples examined 

 in the State, only 2,719 official samples were taken during the 

 year for analysis and further examination. Of these, there were 

 415 certificates referred to the Legal Bureau to determine whether 

 they were violations of the statute. 



Considerable work has been performed during the year in the 

 line of instruction, endeavoring to inform the dealers in food 

 products, more particularly the manufacturers, concerning the 

 requirements of the statute as to marking, branding, or labeling 

 the products they put up. This work is considered essential and 

 practical in that it has a tendency to prevent violations on the 

 part of those whose intentions are the best but who might fail 

 through ignorance, thus reducing the probability of litigation by a 

 large percentage. It is considered to be an economic proposition, 

 to say nothing of its direct and immediate benefit to the purchaser 

 and consumer. 



Further to extend the education work, this Bureau has a travel- 

 ing food exhibit which has been shown in many cities of the State, 

 on request of different organizations interested in pure food. 



