190 = REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
- ative agents. Asa basis for determining adulteration, however, | 
F ¥ oa / ; 4 can ty ARR haa kaw) Hy as 
+ A lat se 
. 
is necessary to know the normal or average composition, so a fairly 
complete analysis of all samples examined has been made. The in- | 
tention of the investigation was not so much to make a very exten- — 
sive series of analyses as to establish definite methods of analysis for 
the guidance of analysts of State boards of health or similar bodies, — 
whose province it is more especially to investigate the extent of adul- 
teration prevailing in their States by the examination of large num- 
bers of samples. fi 
SAMPLES. 
The malt liquors used as samples were all purchased in Washimg- 
ton, D.C., and included the various popular brands made in Milwau- — 
kee, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, etc., which are sold all 
over the country, as well as the product of the few local brewers. 
Some were obtained from wholesale dealers, but the majority were © 
purchased in retail saloons and groceries, without statement of the 
purpose for which they were intended. All the draught beers were — 
obtained in this way. ; 
'.s A few English and German beers and ales were analyzed for com- 
parison, rh 
