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18
In spite of adulteration then, there is very much milk of firstrate
quality sold in the district of St. Saviour's, and the improvement
can be testified to by Mr. Bianchi as well as by myself.
As to Bread and Flour, only two specimens of each have been
examined; they were found to be of excellent quality, and free
from admixture of foreign materials.
The same may be said of a sample of Oatmeal.
Of eight Arrowroots, six were genuine and two admixed. With
reference to the taking of samples I may mention a case in which
portions taken from the same canister may be genuine and spurious,
in distinct patches. Such a sample we had in the Midsummer
quarter, as I was able to convince a wholesale dealer.
Butters, four in number, have been submitted to analysis, and
the results shewed them to be of the nature and quality demanded
by the Act. But I must repeat what I have said in some former
Report, that a butter is often genuine when it is so nasty that one
wonders at people's want of taste. I am quite pleased that I am
not called upon to condemn some of the so-called "butters" which
are largely sold, as they are incomparably superior to much of the
genuine article as regards wholesomeness, taste, smell, and appearance.
The only part of the business that is bad is the sale of such
fats at an unfair price as butter. Let them be sold as imitations,
and the price might be lowered some 30 per cent. at once.
Of Coffees, two samples were taken. One was genuine and the
other contained only a suspicion of chicory. Considering how
large is the quantity of chicory contained in some mixtures sold as
coffees, I would strongly advise the community to mix for themselves.
Of a sample of Tea I have nothing to report, nor of a Pepper,
a Vinegar, and four Mustards, except that they were all good.
Of Preserves I have had no specimens. The Preserved Peas
which have created so great a sensation, I only know about through
the application of one of the wholesale vendors who wished me to
defend the sale of them. I may be allowed to mention that no
salt of copper, however small the quantity, should be passed over,