148 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXP^RIMI^NT STATION. I909. 



EXTRACTS. 



SHORT MEASURE. 



In the early summer of 1909 the hispector was sent to whole- 

 sale houses with instructions to weigh and measure the different 

 kinds of package and bottle goods in stock. Among other things 

 it was found that the goods of three manufacturers of extracts 

 were uniformly short measure. Original boxes of these goods 

 were purchased, the contents of the bottles were carefully 

 measured at the laboratory and analyzed. Hearings were 

 appointed and as complete an investigation made as practicable. 

 No prosecutions have been begun as yet against the Maine 

 firms, and it may be that the short measure cases will not be 

 carried further. The results of the examination are given in 

 the table on page 150. 



It would seem that manufacturers have been in the habit of 

 ordering two or four ounce bottles as the case may be. The 

 makers send bottles that will hold the desired amount when full. 

 If a bottle is completely filled with a liquid an increase in tem- 

 perature blows the cork out of the bottle. Makers of extracts 

 therefore leave an air bubble of greater or less amount in the 

 top. This brings it about that unless the precaution has been 

 taken of ordering a bottle larger than required to hold the 

 amount there has been a 5 to 15 per cent shortage. Most 

 makers do not label the bottles to show the measure they are 

 expected to hold. The Schlotterbeck and Foss Company mark 

 the measure on the box but put no statement of measure on the 

 carton or the bottle that is given to the customer. The Dolan 

 and Furnival Company put no statement of measure on the 

 bottle except that which is implied in the name of the goods 

 "Four ounce brand." Both of these companies are at fault in 

 what has been their practice and both claim that it shall not 

 occur in future output. The goods made by Frank E. Harris- 

 were sold into the State under written guaranty and the cases 

 were reported to the U. S. Board of Food and Drug Inspection. 

 The other samples reported were of only single bottles. As 

 the goods were above strength no pains were taken to find 

 unbroken lots. 



