BEESWAX AND AETIFIOIAL 00MB AND COMB FOUNDATIONS. 



EXAMINATIONS OF PURE BEESWAX AND COMB FOUNDATIONS. 



The samples of pure beeswax were made from the honeys accom- 

 panied with affidavits of their purity. They were analyzed as a check 

 to test the purity of the wax in the comb foundations, the analyses of 

 which occur in the next table. 



The acid number as obtained by us with pure wax is slightly lower 

 than that obtained by European analysts. The cause of this is not ap- 

 parent. The analyses were conducted with the greatest care, and every 

 precaution to prevent the admixture of any foreign substance was ob- 

 served. 



The samples of comb foundation labeled " Canadian " were obtained 

 by request from Dr. Frank T. Shutt, chemist to the Central Experi- 

 mental Farm of Ottawa. 



The further description of the samples will be seen from my letter to 

 Mr. Shutt and his answer. 



As will be seen from the analytical data in the table, the three 

 samples obtained from Mr. Shutt were heavily adulterated. On the 

 other hand, all the comb foundations bought from dealers in the United 

 States, as will be seen from the table following, appear to be pure bees- 

 wax. 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY, 

 Washington, D. C., July 28, 1891. 



DEAR PROF. SHUTT: I have received, with much interest, yonr report in the 

 appendix to the report of the Minister of Agriculture, which you recently had the 

 kindness to send me. 



I am particularly interested in what you say in regard to the adulteration of comb 

 foundation, and write to ask if you have any samples of this adulterated foundation 

 left. If you have, will you kindly send to me a sufficient quantity of each of the 

 adulterated samples to include iu the analyses we are now making of comb foundations 

 from different sources ? We have purchased comb foundation from all the dealers to 

 whom we can gain access, and have found no adulteration. I should be glad if we 

 could include in our analyses a few adulterated samples, inasmuch as we are making 

 a very thorough chemical examination of the waxes contained in comb foundations. 

 I refer to your report on pages 150 and 151 of the publication mentioned above. 



Hoping to receive in the future the publications which you issue on subjects con- 

 nected with agriculture, I am, 



Respectfully, 



H. W. WILKY, 



Chemist. 

 Prof. FRANK T. SHUTT, 



difini.it, Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada. 

 814 



