OFFICIAL INSPECTIONS 4/. 19 



sample examined carried a trifle over 7 per cent of metallic 

 arsenic in water soluble form. 



Rough on Rats, registered because of its claim for a roach 

 exterminator was guaranteed to contain 56 per cent metallic 

 arsenic. The sample examined carried a .trifle more than that. 



The situation with regards the arsenical poisons is not as good 

 as it should be, and shows full well the need of a law regulating 

 their sale. While there is little trouble f rom^ their being deficient 

 in arsenic, there is a large amount of trouble owing to the fact 

 that the arsenic is poorly combined. This is particularly true 

 in the Paris greens. 



Although no prosecutions have been made in Maine the pres- 

 ent year, dealers must be exceedingly careful in the purchase of 

 arsenical goods that they get from the parties from whom they 

 buy full guarantees that the goods are in conformity with the 

 requirements of the Maine Insecticide law. Otherwise they run 

 great risk of having cases brought against them. 



Nearly every arsenic compound, particularly those that are 

 used directly in agriculture, were either short weight or con- 

 tained too much water soluble arsenic or else were deficient in 

 total arsenic. 



A/TiscEivLANEous Insecticides and Fungicides. 



Something over a hundred samples of fungicides and insecti- 

 ■cides were purchased and examined to see if they were seriously 

 different from their claimed composition. The law. does not 

 require the disclosure of the formula except as the goods may 

 carry arsenic or inert rnatter. All of these goods were examined 

 for arsenic, and it is not very readily ascertained what materials 

 might be classed as "inert." A practical experiment with the 

 materials, following directions, is better for that purpose than a 

 chemical, or even microscopical examination. All of the sam- 

 ples were examined for arsenic and were found to be free, or 

 practically free, from that material. Some of them would seem 

 to be of very little value as an insecticide from their general 

 appearance and chemical composition. However, this matter 

 was not tested out, but it is hoped that we will be able to make 

 practical tests following the directions claimed for the various 

 fungic'des and insecticides in 1913. 



