DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND ANIMAL CHEMISTRY. 



J. B. LiNDSEY, Chemist. 



INSPfCTION OF COMMERCIAL FEED STUFFS. 



By P. H. vSmith, Chemist in Charge. 



Assisted by 



C. L. Perkins and J. C. Reed. 



INTRODUCTION. 



This bulletin contains the analyses of 322 samples of commer- 

 cial feeding stuffs collected in the open market by Mr. J. T. How- 

 ard, official inspector, during the winter and spring. 



It is intended as an experiment beginning with this issue to 

 publish the annual feeding stuffs bulletin in October or November 

 rather than in February as formerly. 



For the first time crude fiber determinations were made on all 

 samples for the reason that it is believed to be just as important for 

 the feeder to know whether he is buying an excessive amount of 

 fiber in the form of oat hulls, ground com cobs and other low grade 

 by-products as to know the amount of protein he is purchasing. 

 Owing to the lack of funds the analysis of wheat products was not 

 made. These products, however, were given a cursory examina- 

 tion to determine if adulteration was being attempted. Beyond the 

 fact that some samples contained rather more added screenings than 

 should be found in a first-class wheat feed, no adulteration was 

 found. Other feeds collected by the inspector but not analyzed 

 were a considerable number of chick and scratching grains. These 

 feeds, consisting as they do largely of whole or cracked grains, can 

 be readily examined by the purchaser and the presence of an exces- 

 sive amount of weed seeds, grit or other undesirable material easily 

 detected. 



Massachusetts was the pioneer state in feed control inspection. 

 The law as originally drafted in 189(5 simply provided for inspection 

 and for the publication of results. Not anything was obligatory 

 on the part of manufacturers and inspectors were simply allowed 

 access to places where feed stuffs were stored or offered for sale. 



