12 



FOOD RESEARCH LABORATORY. 



M. E. PENNINGTON, Chief. 



The Food Research Laboratory was formally organized July 1, 

 1908, though it has existed as a laboratory for special investigations 

 since April, 1907. It has investigated various problems connected 

 with perishable foods, especially those involving chemical, bacterio- 

 logical, and histological changes, all of these studies being conducted 

 simultaneously, to afford a broad view of the subject under considera- 

 tion. Originally the work was almost exclusively on changes occur- 

 ring in foods when preserved by low temperatures, but gradually the 

 scope has broadened until now it includes the study of decomposition 

 and putridity in general, taking, for the present, poultry as the chief 

 object of research. Such an investigation, if it be thorough, involves 

 the study of the dressing, handling, transportation, warehousing, and 

 selling of fowls. All of these avenues of information are being 

 explored, with the most hearty cooperation and interest of the indus- 

 try. Experiments to indicate the effect on the keeping quality of I 

 fowls after various methods of handling are inaugurated for the year| 

 1909-10. 



LEATHER AND PAPER LABORATORY. 



F. P. VEITCH, Chief. 



This laboratory was established on July 1, 1904, for the conduct of | 

 the following investigations : 



Investigations of tannins and tanning materials and their effects! 

 upon the strength and properties of leather with a view to promoting! 

 the agricultural industries relating to the" production of tannins and] 

 tanning materials and leather of a high quality. 



,A11 technical problems of a chemical nature relating to the produc 

 tion of tannins and tanning products especially, and investigatioi 

 to determine the value and durability of various kinds of leathe 

 Investigation and examinations of leathers for various purposes 

 made at the request of any of the Departments of the Government. 



All chemical and physical investigations of papers in regard 

 their fitness for use in the Department of Agriculture and otl 

 Departments of the Government which may request such investi^ 

 tions; also the study of methods for improving the quality of pa] 

 and conserving paper-making materials in cooperation with t] 

 Bureau of Plant Industry and the Forest Service. 



All technical problems of a chemical nature relating to the manu-1 

 facture of paper, with a view to promoting the agricultural indus-j 

 tries connected with the production of the raw materials, economy irf 

 then: use, and the improvement of the quality of papers made. 



[Cir. 14] 



