ASgusri^Jo: }         National  and  State  Bulletins.  541 
A  person  who  sits  on.  a  freshly  painted  park  bench,  or  who  spills 
gravy  somewhere  between  his  Tropic  of  Capricorn  and  his  Equator, 
usually  rushes  frantically  to  the  nearest  pharmacist  for  assistance 
and  relief.  How  to  remove  mildew,  fruit  stains  or  spots  of  unknown 
origin  are  frequent  subjects  of  inquiry,  and  it  is  a  wise  adviser  who 
will  first  fortify  his  knowledge  by  consulting  some  authority  upon 
the  subject,  rather  than  risk  giving  off  hand  and  incorrect  advice 
which  may  result  in  the  ruining  of  the  fabric  and  the  adviser's 
reputation  simultaneously. 
It  is  not  generally  known  to  pharmacists,  I  believe,  that  a  valua- 
ble government  publication  is  available,  giving  information  upon 
these  important  matters. 
It  is  entitled  "Removal  of  Stains  from  Clothing  and  other  Tex- 
tiles," by  Harold  L-  Lang  and  Anna  H.  Whittelsey,  and  is  known 
as  Farmers  Bulletin  No.  861,  of  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture.  This  bulletin  of  thirty-five  pages,  contained  trust- 
worthy information  based  upon  scientific  knowledge,  for  the  re- 
moval of  more  than  fifty  different  kinds  of  stains  and  spots,  and  con- 
tains complete  details  for  the  intelligent  use  of  such  solvents,  re- 
agents and  bleaches  as  are  referred  to  as  being  of  value.  It  also 
contains  a  complete  index.  This,  unless  the  supply  is  exhausted, 
and  any  other  of  the  U.  S.  Government  publications,  may  be  obtained 
upon  application  to  the  "Superintendent  of  Documents,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C."  For  some  a  nominal  fee  of  five  or  ten  cents  is  charged, 
but  for  many  publications,  especially  those  called  "Farmers  Bulle- 
tins," no  fee  whatever  is  charged.  In  writing  for  government 
publications  much  time  may  be  saved  by  enclosing  a  small  sum  in 
probable  excess  of  the  cost  of  the  bulletin  if  the  cost  is  not  known. 
Enclosures  must  not  be  made  of  postage  stamps  in  payment  of  fees 
for  government  publications,  for  the  government  departments,  all 
having  the  franking  privilege,  have  no  use  for  stamps  and  are  not 
permitted  to  take  them,  so  actual  currency  must  be  sent. 
Another  very  valuable  publication  which  will  be  frequently  used  by 
those  who  possess  it,  is  a  publication  of  the  Department  of  Commerce 
entitled  "Circular  of  the  Bureau  of  Standards  No.  55,  Measurements 
for  the  Household."  This  is  an  elaborate  book  of  nearly  one  hundred 
and  fifty  pages  on  calendered  paper,  profusely  illustrated  and  well 
indexed.  It  is  concerned  with  the  dissemination  of  information 
as  to  units,  methods  and  instruments  of  measurements  useful  in 
household  activities,  with  many  associated  facts  of  interest  and  value. 
