Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-23

made public today by Director Charles
D. Woods of the Maine Agricultural
Experiment Station:
By Act of Legislature effective
January !. 1914, the execution and
enforcement Of the laws relating to
the sale Of agricultural seeds, COM
mercial feeding stuffs. commercial
fertilizers, drugs. foods, fungicides
and insecticides were placed with the
Commissioner Of Agriculture. The
Director of the Maine Agricultural
Experiment Station is relieved from
executive duties under these laws. He
is still required to analyze all sam
pies collected by the Commissioner.
and to publish the results OF these
examinations together with such adj
ditional information as may seem
desirable.
The Commissioner of Agriculture
through his deputies is constantly col
! lecting for analysis samples of the
different commodities coming under
the requirements of the inspection
| laws. The object in making the ex-
aminations is to ascertain whether NW
| claims under which they are sold. II
they are not. the prosecution of the
dealer which follows and the public
| ity that comes from the publication OF
| the results serve as deterrent OF
fraud. 1t often happens that in
dividuals desire to send in samples
for examination. In order that these
analyses be of public importance it is
necessary that the following condi-
tons respecting samples be observed.
They are prescribed by the Commits
sioner, and apply1to all commodities
with the exception of commercial
fertilizers.
Original unbroken packages will be
accepted for analysis when sent pre-
paid and accompanied by the name
and post office address of the sender
and the dealer.
| Samples from opened or bulk goods
must be taken. sealed and packed in
the presence Of a witness. preferably
the dealer. and forwarded By prepaid
express The sample must be accom-
panied by % an exact copy OF the
principal label or. marks on the pack
age from which the sample is taken;
(2) the name and address of the deal
er; go the signed statement of the
witness that the sample was taken.
sealed and packed in his presence;
land (4) the signed statement of the
sender that in his judgment the sam
Die fairly represents the goods and
that the accompanying statements are
accurate.
There seems to be a notion preva :
lent that it is necessary for the Sta
ton to know the claims made upon
goods or else they cannot make the
analysis. This information is ne
cessary in order that the analysis be
of public importance. and therefore
made without cost to the sender OF the
sample 1t is OF no help to the
ANALYST in making the examination.
If for any reason an analysis OF
sample is desired without disclosing
the facts called for under % and 90
| it is necessary that the person for
warding the sample pay the cost OF
! the examination. For such an anaiy-
sis would be of no public value. as
without q knowledge of the claims
made upon the goods it would not be
possible to tell whether they were or
we're not misbranded or adulterated.
And without the name and address OF
the dealer there would be no one TO
bring a case against, if the goods
proved to be wrong in quality or label.
/ For the proper protection of the per-
son whose goods are being examined
as we'll as for the protection OF the
Commissioner from being imposen
upon co and ca must be complied
with even though the sender pays the
cost Of examination.
Commercial fertilizers are difficult
to sample and the cost Of complete
examination is considerable. Inc
method of taking samples of fertilizers
is provided for by law. This act was
not of the seeking of the Commits
sioner Of Agriculture or the Director
of the Station, but as it is upon the
statute books its requirements must
be exactly complied with. 1t carries
the title: AN Act to provide for the
further analysis Of Commercial
Fertilizers" The text follows:
Section l. Any person within the
State may send to the Commissioner
of Agriculture samples Of commercial
fertilizers sold or offered for sale
within the State for the purpose OF
analysis under the following condl-
tons: Said samples shall be taken In
the presence Of a witness from not
less than five packages of properly
stored commercial fertilizer in accord
ance with directions to be furn-
ished by said Commissioner; a
copy Of all marks upon or at
fixed to the package, including the
brand or trademark. the name OF
the manufacturer and the guran-
teed chemical analysis. shall &C
company the sample or be deposited
with the secretary Of the grange or
the selectmen of the town where tie
sample is taken.
Section ?. On receipt Of a sample
Of commercial fertilizer accompanied
by % certified statement signed 10y
the witness that the sample was. tax
en- az provided in section one OF TINS
act, (2) a copy Of the marks on or
affixed to the package from which :he
sample was procured or signed
statement from the secretary Of
grange or a selectman that the copy
Of the marks upon the package have
lbeen deposited with him, and (3) an
H. A<A apfa