DEC. 20 
^UhAL new-yorke 
823 
connection with the New Jersey Board of 
Health. 
He says that many of the fears awakened in 
the public mind by the discussions in the news¬ 
papers concerning the deleterious or even 
poisonous character of various substances said 
to be used in the adulteration of many articles 
of food, are entirely groundless, and that the 
most searching analyses iu his own laboratory 
failed in nearly' all cases to reveal their pres¬ 
ence, although the articles tested were for the 
most part purchased at the meanest shops, 
whose custom consisted of the poorest class 
of the community. The adulterations found 
consisted mostly of 
substances harmless in 
themselves and used 
for the purpose of in¬ 
creasing the weight or 
bulk of the articles 
sold. Such adultera¬ 
tion must of course be 
branded as fraudulent; 
but while it is an of¬ 
fense against public 
morality, it is not 
one against public 
health. The follow¬ 
ing are some of the ar¬ 
ticles examined. 
It has been objected 
to by some that bread 
is adulterated with 
potatoes, but this ad¬ 
dition, so far from 
being injurious, actu¬ 
ally improves the 
quality of the bread. 
A few samples of 
bread contained very 
small quantities of 
alum said to be used 
for the purpose of 
making it whiter and 
lighter. Some contend 
that a very little alum 
is not injurious be¬ 
cause it is rendered 
inert by the phosphate 
of lime contained in 
the flour, and also by the acids of the gas¬ 
tric juice. Not the slightest trace of copper 
was revealed in the bread examined by the 
most searching methods of analysis. Saleratus 
was found in nearly all cases to consist, as it 
should, of perfectly pure bicarbonate of soda; 
butcream-of-tartar was found to be adulterated 
in some cases as much ns sixty per cent Bak- 
ing powders, which should consist of bicar¬ 
bonate of soda and ereatu-of-tartar iu suitable 
proportions, kept from combination by the 
admixture of a little starch powder, were found 
to vary greatly iu the amount of their effective 
constituents. All the sugars examined were 
found to be perfectly tree from all injurious 
substances. No sulphuric, nitric, or hydro¬ 
chloric acids were found in viuegar. All the 
samples examined derived their activity from 
acetic acid, of which, however, they contained 
different proportions. In other words, some 
of them were more or loss diluted with water. 
None of the samples of milk exauhued were 
found to contain any more serious adulterant 
than water. A diligent search was made to 
find brightly colored cucumbers whose tint 
would indicate that copper had been used to 
make them nxoro attractive: in none of them, 
however, was even the faintest trace of copper 
found to be present. Canned goods were found 
to be free from all deleterious substances. 
Spices procured from various sources differed 
greatly iu strength, and all contained foreign 
substances increasing their bulk and diluting 
their pungency Different samples of teas ex¬ 
amined chemically and uuder the microscope 
revealed the fact that they were adulterated by 
leaves of other plants to a very groat extent. 
Some of the cheapest kinds, selliug, say for 
85 cents a pound, continued no tea leaves what¬ 
ever. Candies were found to be much more 
free from injurious substances than the public 
has been led to believe. Many of them con¬ 
tained a large mixture of glucose, but the 
coloring matters used were comparatively 
harmless. In some of them analiue colors 
were used, which, although poisonous, cannot 
be fairly so called iu the very minute quantities 
necessary to color candy. 
Prof. Leeds examined green wall papers for 
arsenic, and exhibited several tubes containing 
arsenic extracted from them. These papers 
must be condemned as highly injurious, espe¬ 
cially as the arsenic is but loosely applied to 
the surface and is easily diffused through the 
air, whence it Cuds its way into the lungs. 
One specimen of arsenic shown was extracted, 
curiously enough, from a littlegreen Christmas 
tree candle. 
He concludes by saying that three thiugs are 
necessary to keep the practice of udulteratiou 
in check: a stroug public seutimeut kept 
aroused by the public press ; the enactment of 
stringent laws ; and the appointment of com¬ 
petent persous to execute them. 
Rothamstkd Crops.— "If the results ob¬ 
tained at Rothamsted,” writes Dr. J. B. Lawes 
to the English Press, "both in the permanent 
wheat field and with the numerous varieties of 
wheat, be accepted as indicating the quality as 
well as the quantity per acre oyer the country 
at large, the farmer will benefit but little by 
the rise of price hitherto reached. Thus the 
average weight per bushel of the 23 varieties 
ot wheat is this year only 53$ lbs., whereas the 
average weight over the preceding eight years 
has been 61$ lbs. It is, therefore, this year 12^ 
per cent, less than the average. It is obvious 
that the farmer would have to deliver more 
than nine bushels of the produce of this season 
to supply the same weight as in eight bushels 
of the previous seasons. Nor would this be 
all, for with the lower weight per bushel 
much of the grain is so thin, and contains so 
much lnisk aud so little Hour, that it will be 
only fit lor the mill at all when nsed with a 
large admixture of foreign gram, and will 
consequently eommaud comparatively low 
prices. In 1858, which Is the year iu which I 
commenced to give an anuual report and esti¬ 
mate of the wheat crop, the main produce of 
the three artificially manured plots was 55 
bushels per aero, with an average weight per 
bushel of 62$ lbs. In 1879 the very same ma¬ 
nures have given an average of only 19£ bush¬ 
els, at 53$ lbs. per bushel, equal to only 16$ 
bushels at the same weight per bushel as in 
1863. We have here a striking illustration of 
how great is the influence on the result of the 
farmer’s efforts of circumstances entirely be- 
youd his control, after he has employed all the 
resources at his command to obtain a good 
crop.” 
Cross-Bureoin'o Among Fish.—M r. Robert 
B. Roosevelt, so well known in connection 
with fish breediug, is responsible for some sur¬ 
prising assertions with regard to the inter¬ 
crossing of distinct speeies of fish. Borne two 
years ago the eggs of a shad were placed in a 
pan of fresh water, which could not have con¬ 
tained any milt of the male shad. This done, 
the eggs were mixed with the milt of a striped 
bass, and they were immediately fertilized. 
They were then placed in the shad-hatching 
boxes, aud fully 10.000 young cross-breeds were 
the result. They were turned into the river at 
the proper time, and it is not yet time for them 
to return, if they follow the customs of their 
mother. 
That the hybrids are likely to thrive and 
breed is thought probable after the perfect 
success that has lollowed the crossing of the 
California salmon aud the common brook 
trout. Mr. Roosevelt says: ** We have crossed 
fifteen or twenty different breeds, aud all suc¬ 
cessfully. and I can assure you that the result 
is a strong argument iu favor of Darwinism, 
for it shows that all fish may possibly have 
grown out of one or two varieties. This would 
account for what is called the ‘laud-locked 
salmon,’ which is found in lakes having no 
communication with the sea. The object of 
this crossing and breeding is to improve the 
fieh, just as they cross neat cattle aud horses, 
and even fruits aud flowers. The result will 
he to make lish food plenty aud to add a large 
number of ‘queer fish’ to the number already 
in existence." 
Hybrid Shad.— Mr. Seth Green has recently 
called attention to the fact that it has been 
customary for the last four years at the slnid- 
halehlug works on the Hudson River, when¬ 
ever an opportunity offered, to impregnate the 
spawn of the shad with the milt of the white 
bass. He says that these eggs Liuve hatched 
out iu quite as large a percentage as those im¬ 
pregnated with the shut! milt. The young fish 
look very much like small shad, but their 
actions are so entirely different that they are 
readily distinguishable while in the hatching 
boxes. The attention of fishermen and others 
is parti cnlarly called to the fact that such 
hybrids now exist in the Hudson, and they are 
requested, if any such be caught, to make 
known the fact through the papers or other¬ 
wise, describing as particularly as possible the 
appearance, characteristics, etc., of the strange 
fish.—Scientific American. 
Pumpkins. —Dr. Horne, says in the Country 
Gentleman, that he has himself fed cows to re¬ 
pletion on sound, ripe pumpkins, all the season 
with the best results. He has also known many 
persons give cows all the pumpkins they would 
eat. with good results. In his practice he has 
iever known a single instance of abortion, or 
any other disease to result from feeding pump¬ 
kins. Some claim they make the best of but¬ 
ter; some say they injure the butter. He 
canuot of his own knowledge say as to 
this, hut is quite inclined to believe they can¬ 
not in the least iujure the batter, especially if 
fed with corn meal, etc. The seeds act power¬ 
fully on the urinary organs, and should always 
he taken away, so that the cows cannot eat 
them. Cattle of all kinds will maintain good 
condition, largely fed on pumpkins, and so 
will horses. This he knows. 
About Going West.— The class of men who 
can go West, or to a new country, and succeed, 
are those who are strong to labor, who have 
pluck and energy, and who possess enough 
means to give them a good start. * * * 
But. having determined to go, what is the 
next step ? Personally inspect the localities to 
which your thoughts are turned. Do notin- 
vest a dollar on the recommendation of others. 
Better spend all needful time and money in 
thoroughly acquainting yourself with the 
advantages and disadvantages of the country. 
Then you will not be disappointed. * * * * 
The roost essential thing needed by the emi¬ 
grant is " pluck.” Go determined to win. Do 
not be frightened by a single disastrous season, 
thousands turned their backs on Kansas aud 
Nebraska after a grasshopper year, who to-dav 
heartily wish themselves back there. Remem¬ 
ber there are bad years and hard places for far¬ 
mers everywhere, aud "having put your hand 
to the plow, do not look back.” Why should 
a young man settle down on a worn-out farm 
fora life-long struggle with debl, that will 
make him sordid and old before his time, sim¬ 
ply because he happened to be born there ? A 
popular writer has compared such a one to "a 
hen sitting on an eggless nest.”—Ohio Practical 
Farmer. 
What is Wanted. —Mr. L S. Hardin says, 
in the Loudon Ag. Gazette, that it is his notion 
lhat it is about time the breeders of Short¬ 
horns began to look at home for the trouble 
about the neglect of their pets by the graziers. 
They must abandon the chase after pedigree, 
and remember that when the city merchant 
sits down to his roast bed, it is a matter of no 
moment to him whether he is eatiug a piece of 
beef from the wilds of Texas or a slice from 
the loin ot the fourth Duke of Glu’ster. What 
he wants is a piece of juicy, tender meat, and 
Lhat is all he is -willing to pay for; and the 
grazier wants animals with not ouly iron con¬ 
stitutions. but. above all, they’ must be sure 
getters aud early breeders. 
Good Cement for Chimneys, etc., J. R. 
Lente tells the N. Y. Tribune, may be made by 
simply wetting Rosendale cement with paint 
oil. Mix thoroughly and to a consistency that 
will not run. No sand or other ingredient is 
needed. It adheres well to wood or brick, and 
sets hard and tough. 
Industrial topics. 
THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE OF 
MICHIGAN. 
We here present an engraving of the State 
Agricultural College of Michigan, which is 
situated three and one 
half miles east of Lan¬ 
sing, the capital of the 
State. It is the oldest 
college of the kind in 
the United States, hav¬ 
ing been opened to 
students in May, 1857. 
A few years later Con¬ 
gress offered a land- 
grant to each State for 
the establishment and 
maintenance of agri- 
cnltnral colleges. 
Michigan accepted this 
offer, and 235.673 
acres, all located with¬ 
in the State, were ap¬ 
propriated to the sup¬ 
port of the college. 
The proceeds from 
the sale of these lands 
are placed in the State 
Treasury, and the in¬ 
terest alone goes to 
the college. Lands to 
the amount of some¬ 
what over $250,000 
have now been sold. 
Besides this, addition¬ 
al appropriations are 
made by the State Leg¬ 
islature to defray ne¬ 
cessary expenses. The 
management of the 
institution is in the 
hands of the State Board of Agriculture, which 
consists of a body of six men appointed by the 
Governor, each holding office for six years. 
Great improvements have been made at the 
college since its opening. Then there were 
but two halls, erected in the midst of the 
woods, with uumerous stumps around the very 
doors; now the grounds are studded with dor¬ 
mitories, halls, laboratories, greenhouses and 
barns. A botanical laboratory, recently erect¬ 
ed, is shown in the lower left-hand corner of 
the engraving: the buildings in the other 
three corners are specimens of the professors’ 
dwellings. A farm of 676 acres is attached 
to the college, about 300 acres of which are 
under cultivation. Various approved breeds 
of cattle and other domestic animals are 
kept on the farm for the instruction of the 
students. 
The college is provided with an able corps 
of professors, all of whom are scientific men 
and able teachers, and several of them are 
known as writers upefn agricultural and scien¬ 
tific subjects. T. C. Abbot has been President 
of the college since 1859: Dr. R. C, Kedzie 
occupies the chair of Professor of Chemistry; 
W. J. Beal is Professor of Botany and Horti¬ 
culture ; A. J. Cook of Zoology and Ento¬ 
mology, and R. C. Carpenter of Mathematics 
and Civil Engineering. Two able professors 
recently left the College; G. T. Fairchild was 
called to the presidency of Kansas Agricul¬ 
tural College, and C. L. Ingersoll to the. chair 
of Practical Agriculture iu Purdue University, 
Indiana. 
The institution has now graduated 211 stu¬ 
dents. over 60 per cent, of whom are engaged 
in agriculture or related industrial arts. The 
classes are constantly increasing in size, as the 
college is in renowu and usefulness. The 
present year’s catalogue shows a total of 232 
students. The college year commences in 
September, but during the winter there is a 
three months’ vacation, which furnishes an 
opportunity to teach school to those of the 
students who may desire to do so Tuition is 
free to all, aud students not well supplied with 
means have opportunity to defray iJieir ex¬ 
penses in part by working on the" farm and 
gardens. what has become known as the 
labor system has here been introduced, and 
works to perfection. All students not exempt 
by physical inability, are required to work 
three hours a day, for which each receives 
compensation according as he works, the 
maximum rate at present being eight cents an 
hour. 
Die course of study occupies four years, 
and embraces mainly the Natural Sciences. 
Mathematics, English Literature and Practical 
Agriculture. Due prominence is given to 
sciences closely related to agriculture, such as 
Botany, Chemistry, Surveying and the like. 
^ As this institution is the oldest Agricultural 
College in the Lniott, so it is generally held to 
rank also as the bpst. In spite of a fierce pop¬ 
ular prejudice which assailed it iu the early 
years of its existence, it has won the wav to 
favor, popularity ami success. We trust it 
may coutiuue to increase its educational facili- 
cies and spread its iutluence in the future as It 
has in the past. This is preemiueutly au agri¬ 
cultural country, and whatever institution 
helps to educate the farmer aud elevate agri- 
tulture deserves the fullest measure of success. 
MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 
