April 26, 1900. 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL 



265 



condenst form, for the use of bee-keepers and fruit-growers, 

 such information as is at hand, derived from expericiicf 

 and recent investigations, relatin;? to the economy nf 

 nature in plant and insect life, and to show their mutual 

 interdependence." 



Extracts are taken from various reliable sources and 

 put into handy form on the value of bees in the pollinatiim 

 of fruit-blossoms, for distribution among those who need to 

 be informed along the lines indicated by the " purpose " of 

 the pamphlet. 



The subject of " Spraying Fruit-Trees" is also treated, 

 followed by " Recent Laws on the Subject of Spraying." 



It is just such a publication as has long been needed, 

 and we trust every one interested will write Mr. Secor for 

 one or more copies. If not already a member of the Na- 

 tional Bee-Keepers' Association, we would advise every one 

 to enclose $1.00 for a year's dues when asking for a copy of 

 the pamphlet referred to. 



The Illinois Food Commission. — We called at the of- 

 fices of the State Food Commission recen.tly, and had an 

 interview with Mr. E. N. Eaton, the State analyst. While 

 they have begun their work to a certain extent, we presume 

 the real test will come after July 1, when the new law takes 

 effect. 



In a measure, our Food Commission is exploring new 

 ground, and it is their desire to go carefully but certainly 

 and thoroly. They desire to establish principles that shall 

 govern instead of enumerating specifically. For instance, 

 the following are their 



PRINCIPLBS GOVERNING COLORING. 



Harmless artificial coloring may be used for the sake of 

 variety or uniformity, or in deference to demand of con- 

 sumers in goods when such coloring is not used to conceal 

 inferiority, to indicate strength, or to imitate a higher 

 priced article. 



The fact of artificial coloring need not be markt on the 

 label— 



1st. In pure goods of fixt composition. ( Example — Mus- 

 tard, spices.) ~ ' 



2nd. In goods sold under distinguishing names. (Ex- 

 ample — Butter. ) 



3rd In mixtures of indefinite composition sold and 

 known under their own names. (Example — Catsup.) 



4th. In goods with establisht standard of strength or 

 quality. (Example — Lemon extract.) 



COLORING FORBIDDEN. 



Low wine vinegar, 

 (irain and beer vinegar. 

 Vanilla extract. 

 Extract of vanallia. 

 Extract of cumarin. 

 Milk. 

 Cream. 

 Skim cheese. 



MARKT. 



Artificial e.xtracts. 

 Cider vine^'ar, if mi.xt with low- 

 wine. 

 Cherry phosphate. 

 Fruit syrup. 



Artificial jellies and jams. 

 Prepared mustard. 

 Canned yoods. 



COLOR ALLOWED WHEN UNMARKT. 

 Malt vinegar. Mustard. 



Cider vinegar. 

 Lemon extract. 

 Full-cream cheese. 

 Maple sugar. 

 Pure jellies and jams. 

 Celery salt. 



Spices. 



Butter. 



Catsup. 



Chow-chow. 



Chocolate. 



Candy. 



Mixtures and compounds are permissible when the 

 cheaper ingredient serves some useful purpose, and is not 

 added simply as a dilutent or cheapener. Examples : 



ALLOWED. 



Coffee and chicory. 

 Mixture molasses and syrup. 

 Mixt wheat flour. 

 Compound mustard. 

 Prepared cocoa. 

 Compound vanillas. 

 Mixt buckwheat flour. 



FORBIDDEN. 



Mixt maple syrup. 



Mixt maple sugar. 



Compound cream-of-tartar. 



'* Compound " mixt spices. 



Mixt vinegar. 



Diluted milk. 



Diluted lemon extract. 



Prepared by E. N. Eaton, 

 Approved by A. H. Jones, State Analyst. 



Illinois Food Commissioner. 



The foregoing principles, etc., were originated and ap- 

 proved this month, and so do not appear in the pamphlet 



issued by the Commission some time ago. They will likely 

 be incorporated in the next edition. 



The rule governing honey at present is the following: 



" Honey adulterated with glucose or any other sub- 

 stance not deleterious to health may be sold when labeled 

 ' Adulterated Honey.' " 



While this rule may practically prohibit the sale of 

 adulterated honey, we believe that if honey were included 

 in the last list markt " Forbidden," it would be more 

 satisfactory to the general consuming public. There is 

 really no valid reason for adulterating honey, and there is 

 every good reason that its adulteration should be strictly 

 forbidden. Surely, when any one desires to buy honey he 

 wants Jwncy~noi the adulterated article. If the Food Com- 

 mission wishes to allow the sale of the mixt article, we 

 would suggest that it be markt or known by some other 

 name— a name that does not contain the word " honey " at 

 all. Then, if a consumer wishes to purchase the cheap 

 mixture he will not ask for "honey," and he will then 

 know he is not getting honey. 



We trust the Illinois Food Commission will realize to 

 the fullest extent the great responsibility of their position 

 and work in the interest of the consumers. Already there 

 are insinuations that political jobbery and influence of 

 various kinds may be brought to bear on them, but we want 

 to assure Commissioner A. H. Jones and his assistants that 

 the honey-producers are with them in every honest effort to 

 enforce the anti-adulteration laws of this State, and fully 

 expect to support them until there is some good reason to 

 do otherwise. 





The Worcester County Bee-Keepers' Association 

 was organized at Berlin, Mass., April 14, with aboiJt 20 

 members. We wish it success. It should join the National 

 Bee-Keepers' Association in a body at once. 



* » ♦ » ♦ 



Hon Eugene Secor has been appointed judge of Jthe 

 apiarian exhibit at the Iowa State Fair to be held next fall. 

 We believe this is the second notice of this kind we have 

 given about Mr. Secor lately. He seems to be very popular 

 is a judge of bee and honey exhibits. But so long as that 

 popularity is so well deserved, we see no need of objecting. 



♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦ 



Dr. C. C. Miller, writing us April 17, closed with this 

 encouraging paragraph, which, tho not about bees, ought 

 to be read with interest by bee-keepers everywhere : 



" Yesterday was election day in Marengo, and there 

 were many hearts anxious as to the result, saloon-keepers 

 not excepted. It was a question which, or whether any, of 

 the three wards would go no license. When the count was 

 made last night it was found all three wards went dry, 

 giving a total majority of 57 against the saloon. So saloons 

 will close business in Marengo after two years rule. Hal- 

 lelujah!" 



Hurrah for Marengo \ But what a pity it is that all 

 the temperance men all over this broad land don't get to- 

 gether and wipe out forever the awful curse of the saloon. 

 When they do so unite, the American saloon— canteen and 

 all— will go down everlastingly, and there will then go up 

 from the millions of the rum-curst such a " Glory halle- 

 lujah " shout as will set all Heaven ringing. In fact, it 

 will be Heaven to those who have had to endure the terrible 

 misery, and sorrow, and woe, that the demon drink causes. 

 Oh. that the end might come this very year, ere the new 

 century dawns ! It might easily be done, if every Christian 

 man would only do his duty. 



