DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY. 



J. B. LiNDSEY, Chemist. 



INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FEED- 

 STUFFS. 



BY P. H. SMITH AND ESTHER S. MIXER. 



Introduction. 



During the past year (September 1, 1918, to September 1, 1919) 

 1,084 samples of feeding stuffs were collected of dealers and manu- 

 facturers, all of which were analyzed, and are reported in this bulletin. 

 One hundred and thirty-six dealers located in 116 towns were visited 

 at least once. One thousand four hundred and ninety-nine brands of 

 feeding stuffs were registered for sale in Massachusetts. 



There were no prosecutions for violations of the feeding stuffs law, 

 except such as were referred to the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture for action. Through their aid one car of cottonseed meal was 

 seized, and a number of other cases are now in their hands pending 

 settlement. 



National prohibition has affected the feedstuff situation to some 

 extent, but not so seriously as its opponents would have us believe. 

 While distillers' and brewers' by-products have been practically out of 

 the market, the limited output being largely absorbed by manufacturers 

 of prepared rations, it has been possible for the dairy farmer to secure 

 other products in sufficient variety to make satisfactory rations and at 

 a price considerably lower than that asked for proprietary mixtures. 



Prices have ruled high for all feeding stuffs, but with a range so 

 great between different commodities that the feeder has never before 

 had a better opportunity, through intelligent judgment in their purchase, 

 to effect large savings in the cost of necessary grain. 



