There seems to be in the trade much uncertainty respecting the requirements of the Department of Agriculture as to the labeling of coffee produced in the Dutch East Indies. This question has been under advisement by the Department for some time, and, with the cooperation of the Department of State, important information has been secured.

The Department of State was asked to communicate with the Government of the Netherlands and ascertain to what extent in the opinion of that government the term "Java" should be used in harmony with the provisions of the law as applicable to coffees produced in the Dutch East Indies.

A communication has been received through the Department of State from the American Minister at the Hague, who has consulted the Netherlands Government on this subject. In this communication the American Minister states:

The term "Java Coffee" Has been abused for many years, hence it arises that of both roasted and unroasted coffee, perchance ten times as much coffee is sold to the consumer, under the name of "Java Coffee," as is grown in Java.

In conformance with the provisions of the "Pure Food Act," all coffee coming from the island of Java might be called "Java Coffee," that from the Padang districts "Padang Coffee," that from Celebes "Celebes Coffee," and all other sorts from the Netherlands Indies "Dutch East Indies Coffee."

In the Netherlands what is known as "Java Coffee" is only the Coffee arabica produced in Java, so that the Coffea liberica coming from that island under the name of "Java Coffee" falls as little under that term as all the coffee from the rest of the islands of the Indian Archipelago.

The Department is of the opinion that the suggestions which are incorporated in this quotation from the American Minister at the Hague indicate a proper method of labeling coffee coming from the Dutch East Indies.

Coffee grown on the island of Sumatra would also be properly labeled if called "Sumatra Coffee," or, if desired, the label may state specifically and correctly the particular location in which the coffee in question was really grown.

In Food Inspection Decision 82 the Department of Agriculture has indicated its views with respect to the restrictions which it is necessary to place upon the sale of coffees coming from the Dutch East Indies, particularly in respect of such coffees as are known under the name of "Java" coffee.