Referring to the law of the State of New York (p. 870), the adulteration of coffees may be defined as follows: The addition of foreign matter of any kind to reduce the strength or affect the quality; the. sub stitution of cheaper substances in part or wholly for the genuine coffee; facing or coloring in imitation of better grades or to conceal damage.

The use of cereals in so-called " blending " should be considered an adulteration. The cereals act simply as a diluent, increasing the weight and bulk without corresponding benefit to the purchaser. These remarks might also well be applied to chicory, were it not that many persons show a decided preference for coffee containing this substance. Notwithstanding this preference, chicory is and should be considered an adulterant, except when the package containing the mixture is distinctly branded and the proportions of pure coffee and chicory indicated. It is stated that chicory possesses medicinal properties of a diuretic and laxative character which render its excessive use objec1 Unpublished work of Mr. W. Maxwell, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Tionable. There is not sufficient evidence against chicory to warrant placing it in the list of objectionable substances. Obvious adulterants of coffees are the so-called substitutes molded in imitation of the genuine beans.