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188
found seven containing alum. And in these seven
specimens two were found to contain so small a
quantity, that I could only look upon the alum as
accidentally present. When, for example, in one
specimen I found so minute a quantity that I could
not weigh it, I did not even mention its presence.
And, in another case, where the quantity was
considerably below what would have been added
by design, in order to accomplish any effect, I
have given the baker the benefit of the suggestion
that he was probably employing flour which had
been ground in a mill in which alum had been
intentionally admixed in a former grinding. If
you should consider that I have acted wrongly, I
can refer you to No. 4, and the Inspector can make
use of my Report as a Certificate.
With reference to admixture of flour other
than wheaten, much remains to be done. The only
admixture of any serious consequence, and then
only in the case of those whose chief nutriment is
bread, is that with rice. The addition of rice would
come under the head of added weight by an article
of less commercial value. To what extent this is to
be permitted, at a time when potatoes are so costly,
is a matter to be decided by the magistrates.