148 
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1905 OF THE 
CONSULTING CHEMIST. 
In the twelve months, December 1, 1904, to November 3(b 
1905, the number of samples analysed on behalf of members 
of the Society was 571, this being an increase on the number — 
530— recorded for the corresponding period in 1904. This 
increase may, to some extent, be attributed to the reduction 
of fees which was introduced in January, 1905, with the 
view of extending the usefulness of the Chemical Department 
and of enabling the members to avail themselves more fully 
of the privileges offered. 
From returns recently issued, it would appear that the 
Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act was made use of in 1904 
to about the same extent as in the previous year. Though 
there has not been any increase in this direction, yet there 
have been several prosecutions instituted under the Act, which 
have shown the usefulness of this legislation. In some of these 
I have been myself engaged, notably in one concerning the 
sale of a meal called “ Erup ” meal, and in others relating to 
the sale of steamed bones. 
Though the Report of the Departmental Committee on the 
Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act has been issued, no steps 
have as yet been taken in regard to further legislation ; but this 
Society and other bodies have drawn up and duly submitted 
their views upon the recommendations of the Departmental 
Committee. [See Appendix to this Volume, page xlviii.] 
The principal features of the year, so far as they have 
reference to samples examined on behalf of members, have been 
(1) the satisfactory condition of the linseed cake trade ; (2) 
the disappearance, to a large extent, of the trade in Bombay 
cotton cake ; (3) the not infrequent adulteration of different 
classes of milling products ; (4) the improved quality and 
higher guarantee given in the case of basic slag ; (5) the 
adulteration of steamed bones ; (6) the more frequent exami- 
nation of coal, coke, sulphur, and hops for the presence of 
arsenic ; and (7) the revival of prospects of a beet-sugar 
industry in this country. 
