21 



From Messrs. Pincoffs, Pieters «S: Co., Chicago, 111., November 30, 

 1895: 



We have no sample ou hand at present of anr apples of ours which have been 

 found to contain zinc in Europe, but experience has taught us that careful and close 

 chemical analysis vrill show some zinc in almost all evaporated apples, except those 

 which are dried on wooden or canvas trays. We have given the matter a great deal of 

 consideration, and naturally it has been of great importance to our business, and 

 the trouble regarding this question which has arisen in Germany during the last few 

 years has done a very great amount of harm to our business, as well as that of our 

 fellow-exporters. It is a positive fact that the percentage of zinc in the evaporated 

 apples is extremely small, and not enough to be of any harm to health, and this is 

 in fact generally admitted by the medical authorities in Europe, but as the law in 

 Germany does not define any percentage of ziuc, it is no matter whether practically 

 the article is not dangerous to health: as long as any percentage, however small, is 

 found, the goods can be condemned according to their law. 



We believe it is undoubted that a certain element of protection to home indus- 

 tries enters into this outcry against the American evaporated apj)les, but as no 

 especial discrimination is made against the product of this country, and the law 

 applies to all evaporated apples, whether of home or foreign make, we fear that it 

 will be impossible for our Government to make any representation that could alter 

 the decision of the German authorities. Our Mr. Pincofls when abroad last year 

 had occasion to investigate this matter fully, and also talked it over with our 

 ambassador in Berlin. We are now exporting a good many apples which we guar- 

 antee to be entirely free from zinc, according to German analysis ; and if evaporators 

 will dry their apples on trays entirely free from any zinc, and be careful to have no 

 zinc instruments of any kind connected with their evaporating establishments, this 

 guarantee can be made with safety, and we believe it will be of great value if you 

 will point out these facts in your forthcoming bulletin, a copy of which we would 

 be very happy to receive. 



From Messrs. Michael Doyle & Co., Kochester, ^. Y., November 29, 

 1895: 



We have had considerable trouble and annoyance for the past ten years by reason 

 of the condemnation and rejection of evaporated apples which were reported to 

 contain zinc oxids. The trouble at the present time is principally in the German 

 Empire. It is due entirely to the efforts of local fruit growers to stimulate and 

 encourage the evaporating aj)ple industry in Germany, which has proven a failure 

 there whenever attempted, for the reason that the apples are in too scanty supply,, 

 the prices too high, and the people without the technical knowledge necessary to make 

 a good marketable quality at values which will compete with the product of our 

 country. This is the secret of the whole difiSculty. Of the thousands of tons used 

 in this countrj', England, France, and the Scandinavian countries, not a siugle case 

 of illness has ever been reported from the proper use of the fruit. The action of the 

 German authorities is of about the same nature as that Avhich they are waging 

 against our meat and other jiroducts. 



We are sorry to advise we have no samples of the goods reported to contain ziuc, 

 otlierwise vrould be very glad iudeed to send them to you. 



From Charles J. Murphy, commissioner for the State of Iowa, U. S. A., 

 Loudon, January 18, 189G: 



After considerable inijuiry among local fruit dealers. I could find notliing against 

 the evaporated apples (in re zinc), and finally called on the great house of .Toseph 

 Travers &. Sons, whose letter I inclose, which speaks for itself. 



