REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AORICULTURE. LIX 



nal, in respect of its composition and nutritive value, and to determine 

 the preservatives, if any, which are employed in the process. This is 

 a part of the elaborate work which has been carried on for many 

 years in this line and which is recognized throughout the world as the 

 most important contribution to this branch of agricultural science 

 which has ever been made. The bulletins relating to the subject of 

 the adulteration of foods, although printed in more than the usual 

 numbers, have been entirely taken up by the demands from scientific 

 men throughout the world, so that none remain now for distribution. 

 The importance of this work has been recognized in a very practi- 

 cal way by the publication of a volume, by high chemical authorities, 

 on food adulteration, in which it is stated that the contents of the 

 work consist chiefly of the investigations of the Division of Chemistry 

 and that the justification of its publication lies in the fact that the 

 bulletins containing these investigations are no longer available for 

 use. 



The importance of securing pure food is of equal value both to the 

 farmer and the consumer, and the efforts of the Division of Chemistry 

 have been for many years and still are devoted to this great purpose. 



EXAMINATION OF IMPORTED FOOD PRODUCTS. 



In connection with this work, by special authority of Congress, the 

 Division of Chemist^ has examined food products imported into this 

 country which are suspected of adulteration or of containing injurious 

 constituents. While Congress has not authorized the Department of 

 Agriculture in any way to protect the people of this country from frauds 

 in food adulteration, it has conferred the authority upon the Depart- 

 ment of protecting the health of our people from injurious substances 

 imported in foods. The investigations during the past year have been 

 devoted particularly to olive oils, preserved meats, and wines. The 

 greater part of these investigations is considered of a confidential 

 nature, and the results have not been published up to this time. It is 

 believed, however, that the time will soon come when the results of 

 these investigations can with profit be given to the public. 



EXAMINATION OF FOODS INTENDED FOR EXPORT. 



With a similar purpose in view, the Congress of the United States 

 has authorized the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Bureau of 

 Chemistry, to inspect American food products intended for export to 

 foreign countries where chemical and physical tests are applied to the 

 sale of foods. Unfortunately Congress did not give a sufficient appro- 

 priation to the Bureau of Chemistry to permit the execution of this 

 law in a proper way. It is important that our food products going 

 abroad be pure and wholesome, and that we protect our exporters 



