2 24 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



that we are co-workers with God. We may plant and cultivate, 

 but He alone can give the increase." 



Many questions followed the reading of this excellent paper, 

 and then Prof. A. L. Winton, chemist at the State Experiment 

 Station, was introduced and spoke on the important topic of 

 "Fraud in manufactured food products and its effect on the 

 sale of honest fruit." The professor handled this subject in 

 a practical way, speaking from his experience in examining 

 many samples of food products in connection with his Station 

 work. He said that the use of preservatives in fruit foods is 

 not necessary. It is not a good thing for the consumer and is 

 a benefit to no one except the manufacturer. A good, pure 

 jam or jelly ought to keep well without it. 



Samples of foods were shown that contained adulterants, and 

 the reasons for their use was explained ; with strawberries, for 

 instance, it is hard to retain a good color, so unhealthy dyes 

 are used when the fruit is canned. Soda water syrups are badly 

 adulterated. Most of the so-called extracts of berries are frauds, 

 and contain no pure juice whatever. Coal tar dyes are used 

 very largely. Manufacturers hide behind the excuse that 

 farmers color their butter, therefore they have the right to use 

 coloring matter in their goods. But the worst of it is, that there 

 is a demand in the markets for these bright-colored, adulterated 

 goods and their sale does interfere With the consumption of 

 honest fruit products. 



It used to be the rule to make the family supply of jellies, 

 jams, catsups, etc., in the home ; now the market is flooded with 

 the poor, cheap factory-made goods, and, as' they are mostly put 

 up outside the State our fruit growers receive no benefit what- 

 ever from the industry ; in fact, it is really taking money from 

 the pockets of Connecticut growers. 



This country excels in the making of imitation food products 

 of every sort and it is no credit to us, yet the demand for such 

 frauds increases and they continue to attract buyers by their 

 attractive package and high colors, while they contain actually 

 no honest fruit in their makeup. It would seem that the public 

 likes to be humbugged ! 



Dr. Winton thought there might be an opening for enter- 

 prising growers to put up and market honest, pure fruit juices, 

 jellies, etc., in this way making use of the surplus fruit that 



