GRASSES OF I3WA. 487 



evidence of the accuracy of these unusual properties is furn- 

 ished, save the usual list of testimonials, the reliability of 

 which may be judged in the light of the fact that some of the 

 most absurd impositions ever perpetrated on the public have 

 been abundantly approved by similar evidence. Years ago 

 Lawes & Gilbert condemned patent foods at the prices for 

 which they are sold, and important experiments conducted in 

 recent years have not furnished the least justification of their 

 purchase by stockmen. Farmers may accept with perfect 

 confidence this statement, viz. : That there are no nutritive 

 properties, compounds or influences yet discovered which are 

 not possessed by the common feeding stuffs, neither is it possi- 

 ble to increase for well animals the nutritive efl'ects of protein 

 and carbohydrates by associating with them any compounds or 

 drugs whatever. 



As to the medicinal value of condimental foods, it may be 

 safely asserted that well animals, properly fed, need no medi- 

 cine, and sick animals should receive treatment specifically 

 adapted to their ailments. Universal preventatives and cure- 

 alls of diseases are unknown and believed in only by those 

 who are ignorantly credulous. More than this, many of the 

 constituents of condimental foods have no recognized curative 

 value. 



But notwithstanding all that has been said again and again 



to the farming public concerning condimental foods, they still 



find a sale. Not less than fifteen brands have been examined 



at this station during the past two years, all of which were 



found in New York markets. Their analyses from a food 



standpoint follow: 



SAMPLES OF PATENT FOODS COLLECTED IN NEW YORK 



DURtNG 1898 AND 1899. 



Station Price per 



No. Sample; where collected. pound. 



445 Corning 



446 Corning $ .26 



448 Hornelsville 05 



450 Hornelsville 25 



451 Hornelsville O'^i 



456 Canisteo 25 



457 Dansville -18 



458 Dansville lOi 



,459 Dansville 13* 



460 Mt. Morris 06i 



461 Mt. Morris 10 



462 Buffalo 50 



502 15 



