Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-07

corning it could have been written.
Opposite the item $1,000 saved as
entered on the State budget would
have read 60 worthy mothers bear
ing courageously the burdens of a
home refused legitimate State aid
and countless little boys and girls
thereby separated from each other
and the influence of deserving and
good mothers, to knock in a few
years to come at the doors of jul
venile institutions. There to remake
the lives which never should have
been harmed the State will spend
many more thousand than the $12,-
600"
A. M. G. SouIe
The forenoon session was brought to
a close with a very instructive address
by A. NJ G. Soule. chief of the bureau
of inspection of the State department
Of agriculture whose subject was
How Institution Supplies Are Being
Safeguarded by the Food Inspection
Laws"
Mr.. Soule pointed out that 1t is the
work of the commissioner Of agricul-
ture to safeguard the quality of foods.
drugs, etc. and that practically all of
the police work of the department is
carried on by the division of inspec
ton. He said that even the seeds and
commercial fertilizers sold in the State
must pass inspection.
Referring to the commercial fertil-
izers. he said that during the war there
was a dearth of potash. The greater
part of the potash had previously come
from Germany or Alsance-Lorraine
But the fertilizer manufacturers were
anxious TO supply the needs of agri-
culture and the whole country was
secuted. At Lake Searls in California
potash was found but it was mingled
with borax. which is very deleterious
to plants. There was sent out fertil-
izer that contained borax and on &C.
count of the protective clause in the
law the company settled with the farm
I ers of Aroostool county alone the sum
of about $4,000.
Commercial feeding stuffs are in
spccted. and the Maine law provides
for the proper quality of spraying
materials-insecticde and fungicides
the former used to combat the spread
of the brown-tail moth, and the latter
used in the growing of potatoes.
The regulation of food is closely in
terwovcn in the statute which provides
for the quality of the commodities men
toned above. The first food laws in
the country were passed about so years
ago to correct two evils and abuses for
peoples Observation-Disclosures food
with injurious substances detrimental.
and ca substitution of inferior mate
rails. One was fraud against health.
the other fraud against the pocket
book.
Laws We're passed requiring that
food shall be what it purpots to be in
kind and amount; that it shall be free
from deterioration or urwholesome ma
ture: and that it shall be possessed of
full nutritive value. Such is the basis
of practically. all food laws.
| Mr.. Soule referred to the wonderful
advance which has been made in proper
sterilization and canning of foods,
| pointing out that without canned foods
| cities could scarcely exist. He said
| that there is very little trouble found
with the Gamers.
Even oysters and clans can be
! aoultered, he said. Clam diggers
! know that one pint Of claims and one
| pint of water results in quart Of
| CLAIMS.
Protection is afforded the buyers
of drugs, for by the law these drugs
must measure up to certain stand
| ards.
In conclusion, Mr.. Soule spoke OF
the manner in which the pure food
and drug laws of the state are being
enforced by a continual checking up
I" see that the products measure up
to the requirements of the law.