ZI^■C IX E\'APORATED APPLES. 



The deYeiopmeiit of the evaporated fruit iudiistry in this country has 

 rendered available for export large quantities of evaporated apples. 

 By reason of the modern imx^rovements in the methods of evaporation, 

 the desiccated apples retain to a remarkable degree their freshness 

 and flavor. After preparation for the table, the evaporated fruits are 

 scarcely distinguishable from their fresh state either in color or taste. 



In the last few j'ears many objections have been made m foreign coun- 

 tries to the use of evaporated fruits on account of their contamination 

 with zinc. By reason of the complaints made by exi^orters and consu- 

 lar agents, the Secretary of Agriculture authorized an investigation to 

 be made for the purpose of determining whether evaporated ap|)les 

 contain zinc, and if so. whether in quantities prejudicial to health. 



INVESTIGATTOXS A^D ANALYSES HERETOFORE MADE. 



In beginning this investigation a search was first made in the litera- 

 ture of the subject to find out what had been accomplished in the mat- 

 ter heretofore, and to learn the methods of investigation and analysis 

 employed. 



In 188G a large number of samples of evaporated apples was exam- 

 ined by Prof. S. A. Lattimore, of Rochester, X. Y.. and the report of his 

 work was published in the Sixth Annual Eeport of the State Board of 

 Health of Xew York. The samples collected by Dr. Lattimore were 

 dried on galvanized iron trays. At that time, he states, it was the cus- 

 tom of the manufacturers to sulphur the apples after they were sliced, 

 so that the surface of the slices saturated with sulphurous acid was 

 brought into direct contact with the galvanized iron during the process 

 of drying. 



Xo traces of zinc were found in the samples examined by Professor 

 Lattimore. and tliis seems strange in view of the experience of our 

 own and other analysts. Nevertheless, it was noticed that the galvan- 

 ized iron wires suffered oxidation and lost zinc. In a given sample of 

 the wire cloth used in making the bottoms of the trays. So per cent of its 

 weight of zinc was found. In another sample of the same cloth, used 

 for three years, (mly 9 per cent of zinc was found. This shows a loss 

 of 24 per cenr of zinc, which, it is exi)]ained, was caused i)rinci])al]y by 

 mechanical means. Dr. Lattimore concludes that there can exist no 

 well-founded cause of apprehension of any dangerous contamination of 

 evaporated apples with zinc, and it is a matter of congratulation in 



