Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-22
TIE CHEMICAL SECTION,
Papers ON "Imitation Co6ees" and Other
Subjects Of Practical Interest.

Papers on "Imitation Conses" and Oths,
Subjects Of Practical Interest.
Apaper Of very practical value, by Profs
G. L. Spencer and E. E. Ewell, on Limitation
Coffees' was read before the chemical section
this morning. The paper stated that the
writer's had examined number Of imitation
coffees in connection with fhe food investiga
tons Of the Department of Agriculture.
These limitations are generally described BY
the manufacturers as coffee substitutes" and
have their virtues extolled in confidential cir
culars to the trade. The authors said that some
Of these circulars would almost convince q
dealer Of tender conscience that the addition
Of the imitation coffee to the genuine is an ad-
vantage to the consumer and that secrecy ID
only necessary to prevent prejudice.
The New Jersey authorities probably deserve
the credit for first detecting these spurious
coffees in the American markets. The fraud is
widespread, and probably there are few towns
in which the mixtures of the genuine and
fraudulent coffees have not been sold.
The materials used in several samples Of imi-
itation coffee were given. One of these coffee
substitutes is manufactured in Germany, and
is imported a coffee substitute, paying duty
OF two cents per pound. 1t seems strange that
an article whose very form is suggestive of
fraud should be admitted at all at our custom
houses.
Wucdt hour ana Dran mlXeQ WIN mOlaseeB
seem to be the favorite materials for the manu-
facture of imitation coffees. 1t is hardly prob
able that the manufacturer selects a good
quality of flour, but rather damaged or worth
less lot.
Refuse crackers and other waste of bakeries
probably supply portion Of the material en-
ployed. A factory recently seized in France
employed mixture containing 500 grams Of
ferrous sulphate, Is kilos Of chickory and IS
kilos Of -four.
With the exception Of the last named mix
ture imitation coffee is probably not detri-
mental to health. but especially affects the
pocket OF the purchaser.
FIRE CLAY FROM MOUNT SAVAGE.
Prof. Kennicut of the Worcester Polytechnic
Mount Savage" Prof. Kennicut called the at
clay from Mount Savage, Md, exhibiting a
specimen. The clay occurs in the carbonifer-
Gus, In veins ia feet thick. 1t is of dark
color, has n concoirdal fracture. with bright
polished surfaces. From its structure one
would almost think it was formed by volcanic
action. 1t is almost infusblc before the blow
pipe, and has a specific gravity OF 2.54.
Analysis shows that 1t contains 500 per cent
Of hydrated silicate Of aluminium and 80 per
cent of mud. 1t contains no feldspar or
other double silicate.
ADCLTERATIoNs OF LINsEED OH.
Dr.. Thomas Taylor, United States microscop-
list, Department of Agriculture, read q paper
entitled 'The Precipitation Of Fish Oil in Lin
seed Oil, When Used as an Adulterant, by Sill
yer Nitrate Solution" The detection OF the
adulteration of linseed oil with fish oil he
stated to be matter Of great importance, not
only to the trade, but to those who have to use
1t in their house painting and other decora-
tions. but lately he had known no means Of de-
tecting this adulteration. The fact Of linseed
oil not drying in the expected time was no test,
as that might result from the conditions under
which the oil had been made. The oil made
from the green seed would not dry like pure
linseed oil made from seeds which had been
kept Elk months, this consequence resulting
from the evaporation Of the water in that time.
He had discovered that by simply combining a
concentrated solution of nitrate of silver with
the suspected linseed oil. the fish oil, if any is
present, coagulates and falls to the bottom OF
the test tube, displacing the nitrate of silver
solution. This test he stated to be infallible,
no such effect resulting from his experiments
with other oils