PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 285 



article. Coffee and tea were both of that class of enlivening 

 beverages which is instinctively desired by all nations. 



Although the quantity of the principle caffeine in coffee is only 

 from two to five per cent, yet as the substitutes do not contain 

 any of this principle, all imitations are devoid of the essential 

 element of coffee, however near to the original in flavor, the 

 various decoctions may approximate. 



He hoped the committee would follow np this subject, and 

 from time to time bring their labors before the Club. 



Mr. Carpenter, as one of the committee on this subject, said 

 that he had gone into the investigation without fear or favor; 

 every word of the report was true ; the committee had called to 

 their aid persons who were familiar with these frauds. 



Mr. Henry spoke in favor of the use of chicory. This root is 

 imported from Germany, and is sometimes called succory. It is 

 a species cognate to dandeline, and is used extensively by the 

 Germans instead of coffee. I do not think chicory injurious ; 

 my family prefer it to Java coffee. 



Mr. Pardee. — I wish the report had treated more on the sub- 

 stitutes, than on adulterations. Coffee is a nervous stiaiulant, 

 and numbers of men and women have had to abandon its use 

 entirely. If a healthy substitute is found, why not use it ? 



Mr. Cavanach approved of the report, and mentioned a fact 

 that seemed to have been overlooked by the committee. He had 

 been informed that the liver of animals burnt and ground was 

 used to adulterate coffee. 



Mr. Robinson. — I have known the deleterious effects of coffee, 

 and for years I have not been abje to drink^ any, but I can 

 recommend it as a disinfectant. Bad odors are removed by 

 burning coffee. 



Mr. Trimble. — I have no doubt persons are injured by the use 

 of tobacco, and lay the blame to coffee. The object of the report 

 was to warn our people, and guard them against the stupendous 

 frauds in nearly every article used for food. 



A member whose business knowledge has made him familiar 

 with the " tricks of the trade " related other frauds that would 

 add to the interest of the report, but we have room only for one. 

 Within a few weeks a vessel arrived in New Yo;-k from some 

 South American port having on board a quantity of coffee, and 

 as is usual from these ports, hides formed a part of the cargo. 

 These were placed over the coffee. During the voyage these 



