Within two or three years the coffee markets have been flooded with imitation coffees. The first official action toward suppressing this fraud in this country was probably that of the New Jersey officers. It is claimed that these fraudulent coffees are no longer to be found in the markets of that State. Reports from dealers in various parts of the country indicate that the sale of imitation coffees has been very general. On the the following page is a list of the imitation coffees examined in connection with this report, together with a description and statement of their probable composition.

1J. Konig, Central-Organ, f. Waarenkunde und Technologie, 1891, 2, 1; Chem-Ztg., 15,19, Aug., 1891.

20393 - No. 13 - 4

Serial No.

10515. Granular imitation coffee. Composition: Pea hulls and bran. Maufactured by the Powell Manufacturing Company, 120 Front street, New York." See circular letter, p. 918.

Abstracts and copies of a number of the circular letters sent out to dealers by the manufacturers of spurious coffees may be of interest and value. The following are copied in full with the exception of the address:

Dear Sir: I send you by this mail a sample of "imitation coffee."

This is a manufactured bean, and composed of flour; you can easily mix 15 per cent of this substitute in with genuine coffee that ranges in price from 20 to 22 1/2 cents, and it will improve the flavor of the same; it granulates the same as coffee.

If you deal with us it will be in the most strict confidence. .

This S.S.Coffee (Superior Substitute) is packed in barrels, weight about 170 pounds to barrel. By the use of our bean you can increase your profits to 1 1/2 cents per pound and improve the flavor. Try a sample barrel. Price 11 1/2 cents per pound net, ten days. No attention paid to postal cards.

Yours,

L. H. Hall,

Sole Agent, I would not show samples even to employes.

Gentlemen: We desire to call your attention to our improved grade of coffee pellets, which we mail you sample of to-night. The bulk of the goods has been increased, and the drinking merit still further enhanced, as a test of the goods will demonstrate. To exhibit the value of our goods, and show the extent they can be used with good results, wo mail you sample of a compound coffee made as follows: 75 per cent pellets, 15 per cent coffee, 10 per cent chicory.

This makes a very desirable cup of coffee, equal to any low grade straight coffee, and costs, on basis of 5 cents per pound for pellets, 7 cents per pound. By the use of 33 per cent of our new pellets in fine goods, the same result is obtained as from the straight goods alone.

We believe a thorough test of the coffee pellets will convince you that the goods are the most valuable adjunct of the coffee business on the market.

We will be pleased to quote prices on quantities.

Yours, respectfully,

Clark Coffee Company.

Gentlemen: We desire to make a proposition to you, which will be for your interest to consider.

We are manufacturing a coffee substitute which is unquestionably far ahead of anything in its line, which we term " coffee pellets." The merit of these wo will not dilate upon, but simply ask that you give them a fair trial. They are put out in size used for crushed coffees, and are the best for that purpose upon the market. We understand you are using peas extensively, and wo propose, if we can get your attention on the goods, to compete with that article on a basis of uniform price. Our goods are 4 ounces lighter in bulk to the pound than pease, and double the quantity can bo used, with better results. As far as appearance is concerned, of course our goods have considerably the best of it. We mail you sample to-night, and our Mr. Clark will be in your city the first of next week, and we would ask that you see if it is not for your advantage to use our goods.

Hoping you will give it your attention, we remain, Yours, respectfully,

Clark Coffee Company.

"The success of the season."

Java coffee compound, 1-pound packages, whole bean, 60 pounds in case; cost, 10 cents per pound; retail it for 15, and give better value than you now do for 24. Send us your order at once. Draft or post-office order must accompany it. If for any reason you wish to return Java coffee compound within thirty days of its receipt, do so at our expense and We refund money. You won't return it, but will order more. Very truly yours,

The Dowling Meg. Co. Reference, Produce National Hank.

Gentlemen: We have sent you by mail a sample of our " coffee substitute," which is being used by the trade very generally in this city. We claim for our goods that, unlike any other mixture in the market, it is positively neutral in character and can be used in larger quantities and to better advantage than any other, while the style is always uniform both in color and grain. Those goods are put up in barrels of about 200 pounds net, and are sold "F. O. B." at 5 cents, less 10 per cent, ten days. We would be pleased to ship you any quantity for a trial, should you desire it. Very respectfully,

Powell Manufacturing Co., Per J. D. M. (See p. 916, serial No. 10515.)

Abstract from letter of M. Kliemand,1 327 Degraw street, Brooklyn.

I beg to mail you a sample of a coffee substitute, "Kunst-Kaffee," manufactured by Messrs. Erhorn &, Dierchs, Hamburg, who appointed me general agent for the United States.

Advantages. - It is animating, but not exciting, and very nutritious and wholesome, softening the taste of the inferior coffees; quality unimpaired for twelve months or longer.

Price. - Eleven cents per pound, New York, net, per Pennsylvania Railroad.

The above so-called coffee substitute (Department serial No. 8883) is admitted at the port of New York as a u substitute for coffee" at the rate of 1 1/2 cents per pound.