AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 561 



is over six miles long, from eight to twelve feet wide, and standing, like a 

 curb-stone, from four to sis feet above the general level. 



In the general conversation which followed, the antidotes to lead poison 

 were mentioned (principally sulphur and the iodides,) and the use of lead 

 for packing joints, stanching pipes of iron, etc., were spoken of, but no 

 striking matter of sufficient interest to report was elicited. Mr. Serrell 

 and Mr. Selleck alluded to the fact that sulphuric acid, used in pickling 

 iron wire and iron sheets, was fotiu'd to penetrate the iron and continue 

 attached to it, or concealed within it for a long time, and can be traced 

 by the taste and by chemical tests. 



The Association adjourned to Thursday, the 9th. Subject "Adultera- 

 tion of Articles of Commerce." 



American Institute, Polytechnic Association, 



February 9th, 1860. 



Prof. Mason, Chairman. John Johnson, Secretary, pro tem. 



Prof. Mason read an elaborate report on franklinite which was referred 

 back to the committee having that subject in charge. 



Mr. Bruce was called upon to open the subject of the evening when he 

 spoke as follows : 



adulteration of pood. 



Of flour — particularly that ground in the State and city of New York — I 

 can with safety say that, with the exception of what are termed extra and 

 double-extra brands, none of it can at all .compare in quality with flour 

 characterized by the same labels on the barrel, as when under State inspec- 

 tion officers. This is a well known fact. The New York state flour is 

 now far inferior to what it was, aud bears but a low character abroad to 

 what it formerly did. 



The only remedy I know for the correction of this evil is a return to the 

 old mode of having state appointed inspectors, instead of, as at present, 

 allowing flour dealers to appoint their own inspectors, with whom it is 

 optional to give the flour inspected any character their employer may 

 desire. 



The flour ground in other states where it is subject to state inspection — 

 particularly Virginia-^bears as high a character now as it did fifty years 

 since, and commands the highest price in our market. 



In discussing the article of bread, a subject I am more familiar with, I 

 hope I may be pardoned if, in doing so, I should display a little egotism 

 by speaking of myself as connected with the reforms and innovations on old 

 established customs and usages in the manufacture thereof, and ■v^hen I 

 state that before I gave up business in 1853, I was the oldest engaged 

 therein in the city — having been engaged in business with my father in 

 Wall street, who also had another establishment for ship-bread in Fair, 

 now Fulton street, which is still occupied for the same business by John T. 



[Am. Inst.] 36 



