Tests on all apparatus in this institution were made on July 21, 1910. (Signed) MAURICE BLOCK, B. M. BLUMENTHAL. SUPERVISING FOODS AND FARMS. The assistance of the Hon. R. A. Pearson, Commissioner of Agriculture, in connection with the supervision of food products and planning improvements to the farms to make them more productive, has been of great value to this department. Early in the fiscal year I requested the assistance of Commissioner Pearson and it was promptly and cheerfully accorded me in making analyses of foodstuffs, and in studying farm conditions. Later, when the Legislature convened, an amendment to the Agricultural Law was enacted which specifically empowered the Commissioner of Agriculture to examine food or food products,- for use in State institutions; milk monthly; other foods semi-annually, and to examine the agricultural methods at such institutions. All of this work was progressed as rapidly as possible and is still in progress, as owing to the limited time remaining in the fiscal year after the enactment of the law, it was impossible to do much in the way of examining farm methods before the close of the year. New forms of farm records were prepared and more detailed forms for reporting farm products as described elsewhere in this report. The correspondence between this department and the agricultural department has been voluminous and without undertaking to reproduce it in its entirety, I am including sufficient to indicate its character and results. STATE OF NEW YORK - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Hon. DENNIS MCCARTHY, Fiscal Supervisor, Albany, N. Y.: DEAR SIR. In response to a telephone communication received by me today, at this office, from Mr. Hobbs of your Department requesting a report. of our findings on samples of milk taken at the State institutions, permit me to state that there has been taken two samples of milk by agents of this department, in an official way, from the person delivering milk to the Woman's House of Refuge at Albion, N. Y. Sample No. 15576 was the original sample and No. 2596 is the herd sample, and both were delivered to laboratory on December 10, 1909. We have not as yet received all of the evidence relative to the taking of these samples; but the certificates of analysis, copies of which we enclose you herewith, indicate by comparison of the figures between the original sample and the herd sample, adulteration by the addition of water to the milk, and possibly some skimming of cream from the milk. This latter question has not as yet been determined by our experts. Milk Sample No. 16439, taken December 8, 1909, from the New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble Minded Women, Newark, N. Y., the evidence shows that the producer purchases some of his milk at this time of the year from other parties; therefore, no herd sample was taken in this case for comparison with the original sample. The figures in the original certificate of analysis indicate that the sample of milk taken is below State standard, in that there was an excess of water and a deficiency in solids. The sample was taken from the cooling room of the institution, contained in pails, sixteen in number, which had been filled from the cans received that morning; and was taken in an official way by myself assisted by the bookkeeper of the institution. I was informed by Miss Lally that *, the reported producer of the milk, purchased from milk sufficient to deliver the required amount he was un and 營 * * * able to supply from his own herd. We also enclose you herewith copy of the certificate of analysis of the sample taken. In order to show that the producer of the milk had violated the law, other investigation would have to be made of the milk produced by the different herds. The certificate of analysis of sample of milk No. 16438, taken from the cooling room at the New York House of Refuge, Randall's Island, N. Y., copy of which we enclose you herewith, shows no evidence of adulteration. The sample was taken by myself, assisted by Mr. Burns of the institution, from the cooling room in an official way. These are the only samples of milk taken up to the present date upon which we have received reports. With reference to the analysis of other samples of food already delivered to our chemist under date of December 31st, requesting him to give these samples first place over all other samples delivered to his laboratory that do not require immediate analysis, on account of perishable goods; and that we would like a report on all or as many of them as possible on or before January 15th. We will forward to you a statement of the results of the examination of the samples already taken and delivered to the chemist as soon as we receive the reports of analysis. Enclosed find a copy of the Dairy Products Law, and respectfully call your attention to the milk standards as given on page 13e. Our chief chemist and assistant chemists are attending court this entire week on three different cases, so that reports will be delayed some. Very respectfully yours, (Signed) F. M. GREENE, Chief of the Food Bureau. January 13, 1910. Hon. A. P. FOWLER, President, Board of Managers, New York State Custodial Asylum Feeble-Minded Women: DEAR SIR.—The Department hands you herewith certificate of analysis of sample milk taken from your institution by the Department of Agriculture, which, you will notice, states that the sample was not pure milk. This certificate, as you will see, is number 16439. It is referred to in a letter from the Department of Agriculture as follows: "Milk sample No. 16439, taken December 8th, 1909, from the New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women, Newark, N. Y. - the evidence shows that the producer purchases some of his milk at this time of the year from other parties; therefore, no herd sample was taken in this case for comparison with the original sample. The figures in the original certificate of analysis indicate that the sample of milk taken is below state standard, in that there was an excess of water and a deficiency of solids. * * # * * and # * "The sample was taken from the cooling-room of the institution, contained in pails, sixteen in number, which had been filled from the cans received that morning; and was taken in an official way by myself assisted by the bookkeeper of the institution, Miss Gertrude Lally. I was informed by Miss Lally that the reported producer of the milk, purchased from # milk sufficient to deliver the required amount he was unable to supply from his own herd. We also enclose you herewith copy of the certificate of analysis of the sample taken. In order to show that the producer of the milk had violated the law, other investigations would have to be made of the milk produced by the different herds." It seems that for the reason that the contractor is furnishing milk supplied by several producers, the responsibility for the impurity of the milk cannot, at present, be located. It is, however, quite likely that the Depart ment of Agriculture will follow up the matter and eventually locate the responsibility and begin action in order to inflict the penalty that the law provides. The Department recommends that you procure instruments as follows, by which you may detect adulteration of milk and the lack of fat and solids which it is specified in the law pure milk shall contain: A lactometer and float, this to test the specific gravity of the milk; and a Facile Jr. four-bottle fat tester (Babcock fat test), a book of instructions to be furnished with the latter. The Department suggests that you request the shipper of these instruments to give you full instructions regarding the use of both of them, and would further say that should they not be fully understood by the person who will use them at your institution, you should communicate directly with the Department of Agriculture for advice in the matter, which will be cheerfully given. You will be advised shortly as to where to buy the above instruments, as the Department is now writing parties in view of price, etc. Yours respectfully, D. MCCARTHY, Fiscal Supervisor. Similar letter sent to President, Albion and Newark Institutions. January 15, 1910. Hon. ISAAC TOWNSEND, Chairman, Executive Committee, New York House of Refuge: DEAR SIR.In accordance with Department's advice to you by letter of the 13th inst., suggesting the use of instruments for milk testing, the following information is now given you: Messrs. D. H. Burrell & Co., Little Falls, N. Y., quote the instruments recommended by the Agricultural Department as follows: "Spence's Lacto-Thermometer mometer, price, $1.50. or combined Lactometer and Ther "Test Jar or Float, size 12 x 12 in. Price, 30cents (to be used in connection with the lactometer). "Facile Jr." Babcock Milk Tester, 4 bottle complete for testing milk, price, $5.00, discount 25 per cent." When ordering these instruments, which the Department will approve on supplemental estimate, be sure and ask for full instructions in their use. After receiving them, if it is found that further information as to their use is needed, communicate directly with the Agricultural Department, and you will receive prompt advice. Yours respectfully, D. McCARTHY. |