23 



Producing the poorest product, Roxbury Russet, Northern Spy, 

 Minister and King. 



The appearance of the fruit coming from the different evapo- 

 rators was varied, that from the "Topping" being the best, the 

 "American" taking the second rank and the "Stahl" the 

 third. 



In considering the healthf ulness of the product of these evapo- 

 rators, objection has been made that the sulphur used in the proc- 

 ess of bleaching might render the fruit injurious. To settle the 

 question as to the quantity of sulphur absorbed by the fruit in the 

 process of bleaching, samples from each evaporator were sent to 

 the State station for analysis, with the results as follows : — 



The fruit from the "Topping" contained 1-30 of 1 per cent of sul- 

 phurous acid. 



The fruit from the " American " contained 1-7 of 1 per cent of sul- 

 phurous acid. 



The fruit from the " Stahl" contained 1-5 of 1 per cent of sulphurous 

 acid. 



Even the highest amount found, we are informed by Dr. C. A. 

 Goessmann, is so minute and in such combinations with the fruit 

 as to be entirely harmless. Should any, however, object to this 

 small amount of sulphur, which possibly may be detected in the 

 flavor of the fruit, it will be found that it is largely dissolved in 

 the water used for soaking the fruit previous to cooking, and that 

 by pouring off this water nearly all of the sulphur will be removed. 



The Meteorological Division. 



Besides the general routine work of taking daily observations, 

 reducing data and recording results, work has been done for the 

 purpose of ascertaining the facts about certain meteorological 

 theories. Weather periodicity based upon recurring changes in 

 temperature or electrical phenomena is being investigated. 

 While these theories are still in their infancy, yet encouraging 

 results have been ascertained. The temperature, barometric 

 and precipitation curves, based upon data taken for over fifty 

 years, have been plotted at this station, and show a decided 

 tendency toward periodical recurrences ; not only is this true of 

 succeeding years, but also of the months. If these recurring 

 meteorological changes are found to be constant in their appear- 

 ance, it will be possible to forecast the weather many days in 

 advance. To help solve this problem has been one of the efforts 

 of this division. 



