The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-30

the sale of American dried apples in tn :
German market by the propagation of the
statement that the fruit was impregnated
with oxides of zinc, and therefore danger
Gus to health. Through the offices of the
American Consul at Dusseldorf, Prussia,
ali official analysis Of American fruits and
the jam from them has been undertaken.
The city chemist certifes, as the result of
the examination, that the quantity of zinc
salt contained in a very large portion of
apple jam made from the dried apples in
question would convey into the human
system about one-ffth part of the GUAM
uty of zinc which may be given to infants
without causing nausea. From one-half
of one gram to one and half grams of
acetate OF zinc, which resembles the malic
acid salt OF zinc more closely than
any other zinc salt, are needed
for an emetic for small children;
with adults four times that amount
will hardly cause any unpleasant feeling.
The chemist concludes his report by say
ing, 81 therefore hold that American
evaporated apples are not unwholesome,
nor is any danger incurred by using
them" In order to arrest the backward
movement OF this promising trade and to
expand the export of dried fruit it is
recommended that the American ex-
porters sell product absolutely free from
NiiiS VI OtuCI u, 1USlSLlnG on
the fact conspicuously on their labels. To
avoid the tainting of apples with zinc
while in the drying-pans enameled pans
or screens should be used. The use of
chlorldes or sulphates OF zinc in ever SO
small quantity as bleach or preserva-
tive, and this is the probable cause of the
trouble, should be discontinued, as it
AN APPARATUS TO PREVENT THE SINKING
OF BoATs.-In view of the fact that terrible
catastrophes at sea have lately been of
such frequent occurrence, additional in
terest attaches to a new invention of an
arrangemen MT of floating tubes SO con-
structed as to prevent boats from sinking.
The tubes are run along each side of a
boat. and thew will not only keep it afoat.
even when capsized but Will support all
its occupants, if need be, who can readily
lay hold of them. When the boat is cap
sized the tubes come to the level of the
water, although it is claimed that the
mere adjustment of tubes makes capsizing
almost an impossibility. The continuance
can be attached to lifeboats, skiffs, gon-
dolas, canoes, etc, without the least inter
fering with their locomotion.
A MENACE TO THE Book TRApE.-A move
ment has been begun in England which
may possibly have very widespread anu
important influence. A philanthropist.
for the better intoxicating of public taste,
is bringing out editions of English poets at
the low cost of 2 cents per volume. The
FIRST issue was Macaulay's Gays the Sec
ond "Marmion," the third "Childe Har-
old" The fourth is to be Selected Poems
from Lowell" and Longfellow will soon
follow. This revives the question debated
long ago whether it would not be cheaper
for public library to give away books
than to incur the expense Of staff of peo-
pie, SO as to keep account of the volumes
going out or coming in. Statistics on this
subject, based on the one hand on the aver
age current expenses Of existing libraries,
and on the other hano on the production
OF the cheap editions mentioned, would be
OF great interest. 1t is quite within the
probabilities that the cheaper class OF VOL
umes Will be given away and that small
clerical force will be retained to care for
large and valuable books.
BICYCLES AS REVENUE PRopUcERs.-An
ingenious idea has been hit npon by the
president of Canadian railway for Gre
ating travel on the companv's cars. Along
the railroad running some distance out of
the city the company has allowed bicyclists
to construct cinder path for their own
convenience, as well as giving the company
better ballasting on the road. The only
revenue the company expects to derive
from the paths is the fares of the wives
and families of the riders who take the
cars to watch the wheelmen practice. As
the riders of the wheel in Toronto number
about 10000 the enterprise of the railroad
company is likely to be well rewarded.