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164
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.