cedure followed at the central Bureau and at the inspection laborato- 

 ries in enforcing the law is given in detail under the heading, " Division 

 of Foods." 



The corps of 39 inspectors, under a Chief Inspector, who reports 

 directly to the Chief of Bureau, has headquarters at Washington, 

 and the inspectors receive their directions from and make their 

 reports to the Chief Inspector at that place. The inspection of fac- 

 tories and the taking of samples for analysis constitute their chief 

 duties. 



Aside from the other inquiries mentioned, the Division of Foods 

 studies analytical methods necessary for the examination of food, 

 This work is partly done in collaboration with the Association of 

 Official Agricultural Chemists, of which the Chief of the Bureau is 

 the secretary. This division is also engaged in collaborative work 

 with the pomologist of the Bureau of Plant Industry on the study 

 of the ripening of fruit. Special studies are made from time to time 

 of the influence of methods of manufacture and other conditions 

 upon the composition and wholesomeness of food, with respect to 

 the enforcement of the food and drugs act. 



FOOD INSPECTION. 



The work in connection with the enforcement of the food and drugs 

 act, June 30, 1906, naturally divides itself into two portions: First. 

 the inspection of foods and drugs sold in the District of Columbia 

 and the Territories or shipped in interstate commerce; second, the 

 inspection of foods imported into the United States from foreigc 

 countries. In connection with food-inspection work branch labora- 

 tories are maintained at twenty-one leading commercial centers, the 

 list being given on page 2. The samples of foods collected in the 

 vicinity of Washington are examined in the food-inspection labora- 

 tory of the Division of Foods, in which laboratory the results of the 

 branch laboratories on condemned samples are also checked. 



DIVISION OF FOODS. 



W. D. BIGELOW, Chief. 



E. M. CHACE, Assistant Chief. 



The Division of Foods is charged with the general food investiga- 

 tions made by the Bureau. In the past much w r ork has been done 

 with various kinds of food purchased in the open market, in ordei! 

 to determine their purity and the character of adulteration commomjj; 

 practiced. Careful attention has long been given to this subjeciji 

 under the provisions of the appropriation act authorizing the Bureai^ 

 of Chemistry to investigate the adulteration, false labeling, and false 

 branding of food products. 



[Cir. 14] 



