40 MAINS AGRICUIvTURAI, E^XPE^RIME^NT STATION. IQIO. 



carboys for his personal use, was reported as having high acid- 

 ity (6.2 per cent) and found "to be very different from the 

 other four, not having even the share of cider stock they do, 

 in fact Httle of it, being but a grossly poor imitation of a true 

 cider vinegar." 



The fact seems to be that while the great majority of cider 

 vinegars will conform to the standard as fixed in Maine and ex- 

 plained above, it is certain that occasionally vinegar made from 

 pure apple juice will depart even to a marked extent from these 

 definitions. In the case of the cider vinegar made by the Di- 

 rector of this Station, if it had been found in the open market 

 and nothing known of its history, we should have reached the 

 same conclusion as the Boston analyst to whom it was referred. 

 While it is easy to distinguish between cider vinegar and other 

 types of vinegar it is not possible to always detect a manipu- 

 lated vinegar from a straight vinegar. Nor does it seem pos- 

 sible to strictly follow the standards without running the risk 

 of prosecuting an entirely innocent person. All vinegar, whether 

 cider or other kinds, must be up to strength or else plainly 

 marked "Below Standard." While we shall continue to inves- 

 tigate all suspicious vinegars, we shall until such time as we 

 may be able to distinguish more closely than now seems pos- 

 sible, continue to pass as cider vinegars such as seem to bear 

 evidence of being made from apples even if they do not con- 

 form to all the minor requirements. 



RESULTS OF INSPECTION OF VINEGAR. 



It was found in the fall of 1905 that vinegars of all kinds, 

 and all degrees of strength, were being- sold throughout the 

 State under the name of "cider vinegar." In the summer of 

 1906 another inspection was made, and while there was still a 

 good deal of trouble, the vinegar situation had vastly improved. 

 In the summer of 1907 practically no misbranded vinegars were 

 found in the hands of the dealers, although country vinegars of 

 poor quality were found. In other words, in the three years 

 the situation as to vinegar had so far improved that the retailer 

 knew what he was buying from the wholesale dealer. In 1908 

 samples were collected by the inspector without his making him- 

 self known. In a large number of instances he was given 



