Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-01-31
of dollars and cents, but to tbs con-

dUtCltu ny WUdl VIC cdt. ludhu
facturers declare that adulteratiOn Cf
food is so small as to be perfectly
harmless. The products OF the farm
are marketed pure, but they must
enter into competition with adulter-
ated articles, thereby leaving big
profits to the adulterators. he then
gave history OF the movement 10 Sc
cure the passage of the pure food law,
which was finally accomplished in 1895,
and under this law the State Dairy and
Food department is now working
Statistics show that 10 per cent. OF our
food is aduter ated, and on this basis
Michigan alone spends S3O,O00,COO
annually for adultersted food; laborers
in this state spend 60 per cent. of their
total ca rnings for food, and by the
purchase Of adulterated food are de-
frauded of 10 per cent. Of their total
earnings.
The object of the pure food law, said
Mr.. Rossman, ID to protect the con-
sumers. Manufacturers in this and
other states have shown willingness
to obey the law, and comply with it's
provisions AS to labels, and other
means of identifying the adulterated
articles. He then spoke OF the
monthly bulletins issued by this de-
partment, giving full information as to
the work of the department, by means
of which the public are enlightened
and protected.
Manufacturers of adulterated food,
whose only object is to defraud, and by
the offering of large profits induce
others to engage in this illegltimate
business, have sprung up all over the
country. These concerns, the agents
of the department are ferreting out
and as rapidly as possible bringing
them TO time.
He then told of the principal articles
of food which are adulterated, the in
gradients used in adulteration, how 1t
it done, and in the case of several arti-
cles which enter into the daily con-
sumption of food, showed by practical
demonstration how the adulteratlol
may be detected.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Rossman's
address, the Alma band favored
the Audience with some music,
after which, Il. l.. Hewitt of Lansing
spoke on the Census and other Stats
tics" MIR. Hewitt's remarks were
mainly repetition of facts and figures
to be found in the last census issued by
the state, relative to the population OF
native and foreign born citizens, mum
Der of births, school and educationa
statistics, etc. Consider able amuse
ment was afforded by some OF TIT
questions asked MIR. Hewitt and hi
answers thereto. He dwelt at some
length on the statistics relative to in
dustrial matters, particularly those re
lating to farming and the marketing
of farm produce, explained the week.,
and monthly crop bulletins issued. ant
their great value to the farmers.
After another selection by the band
the session adjourned.
The questions at the morning ses
: sion, Thursday, related chiefly to the
, value of alfalfa, and there seemed t
be unanimity of opinion in the mega
tive.
, Asa side issue, the question as t
D whether the coinage of silver at tn
r ratio of Is to ] would be favorable t
I the interest of the farmer, was asked
and vote taken decided the Guestlo
, in the Affirmative.
r Growing small fruits at a profit
d. was the subject assigned to j. \
g Stearns Of Kalamazoo. He gave a
Y interesting talk of his own experienC
!. along this line, and said that th
n profits in dollars and cents was not tn
only profit TO be realized from CROWN
9 small fruits; the returns in pleasure an
b health were vastly greater and more t
n be priced. Mr.. Stearns said that an
II farmer who knew how to prepare th
soil for, and care for and cultivate pC
g tatoes successfully, can do the sam
;. with small fruits, and at no create
g outlay Of money and time than is e.
i pended for potato crop, and for
II man not strong enough to do heav
u farm work, the best thing such an on
e can do is to begin the cultivation OF III
a small fruits. The care Of fruit and tt
10 generous use of it in the family Wi
n head off more doctors bills and say
n more money than will be needed
Ne starting fruit farm.
}. Mr.. Stearns gave the farmers niue
n practical advice on how TO prepare til
soil, set out bushes and vines, and tt
d varieties which will give the best II
o turns. He dwelt upon the value I
# careful preparation of the soil, caref'
it and generous fertilizing and care
y. the growing and ripening fruit.
re The discussion was very thoroug
Or and participated In by many who hay
,o;a hut litflo offapfinn