484 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXVII. No. 691 



termine tlieir influence upon nutrition and 

 health; the inspection in connection with 

 the enforcement of the federal food and 

 drugs act, of foods and drugs sold in 

 interstate commerce and in the District of 

 Columbia and the territories ; the study of 

 the influence of environment upon the 

 composition of agricultural products; the 

 study of conditions relating to the several 

 saccharine products such as syrup, mo- 

 lasses, sugar and honey ; the chemical ques- 

 tions relating to the dairy industry; the 

 effect of trade wastes on forests and agri- 

 cultural products as, for instance, the effect 

 of smelter fumes on vegetation and ani- 

 mals; the influence of chemical preserva- 

 tives and colors on nutrition and health; 

 the influence of cold storage preservation 

 on the composition of foods ; chemical- 

 technical problems relating to the leather 

 and paper industries; and certain studies 

 in enological technology. 



The functions of the bureau also include 

 a wide range of routine work. In addi- 

 tion to the analyses of products coming 

 naturally within the scope of the depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, the bureau is espe- 

 cially authorized by congress to examine 

 the supplies of other departments of the 

 government such as foods for the Army, 

 Navy and Panama Canal Commission ; 

 post-mark and cancelling inks, inking pads, 

 glue, glycerin, soap, lubricating oils, and 

 linoleum used by the Post-Office Depart- 

 ment; disinfectants, lubricating oils and 

 coals used by the government hospital for 

 the iijsane ; dry colors, oils, glue, soap, 

 steel, and miscellaneous supplies used by 

 the Bureau of Engraving and Printing; 

 gums, oils, and alloys used by the Govern- 

 ment Printing Office; writing inks, type- 

 writer ribbons, carbon papers, etc., used in 

 the various executive departments where 

 permanence of records is essential; paints, 

 oils, varnishes, chemical glassware and 

 other apparatus used in the Department 



of Agriculture, and assistance is occa- 

 sionally given the Treasury Department in 

 the examination of materials regarding 

 which there has arisen a question as to 

 classification for dutiable piirposes. 



For purposes of administration the bu- 

 reau is divided into two divisions, seven 

 laboratories and four sections in Washing- 

 ton, and sixteen food and drug inspection 

 laboratories and two sections for special 

 investigations are maintained in other 

 cities. 



The Biochemic Laboratory of the Bu- 

 reau of Animal Industry is charged with 

 the examination of stock dips and with 

 other chemical studies relating to the work 

 of the bureau. The work of the labora- 

 tory includes a large number of routine 

 analyses for which branch laboratories are 

 maintained in various parts of the United 

 States. Much routine and research work 

 connected with biochemical problems is also 

 conducted. 



The chief effort of the chemical labora- 

 tories of the Bureau of Soils has been the 

 application of the methods of physical 

 chemistry to the problems of the soil. The 

 routine work of the laboratories includes 

 the examination of soils, fertilizers and 

 irrigation and drainage waters to meet the 

 demands of the field forces of the bureau. 

 The following investigations serve to 

 illustrate the nature of the research work 

 that has been done: The solubility of the 

 mineral and organic components of the soil 

 and the physical-chemical characteristics 

 of the resulting solution; the study and 

 practical application of the chemistry of 

 alkali, common carbonates and gypsum, the 

 reclamation and utilization of mine run- 

 nings and waste waters for irrigating 

 purposes; and studies relating to humus, 

 the iron compounds of the soil, absorption 

 and toxicity. 



The forest service of the Department of 

 Agriculture maintains a chemical labora- 



