UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY,
_Washington, D. C., November 2, 1910_.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit and to recommend for publication as
a bulletin of this Bureau a paper entitled “A Bacteriological Study
of Ham Souring,” by Dr. C. N. McBryde, senior bacteriologist in the
Biochemic Division of this Bureau.
The souring of hams is a source of considerable loss in the
meat-packing industry, and the cause of this trouble has heretofore
been in doubt. Dr. McBryde’s paper presents the results of an
exhaustive study of the subject, from which it appears that he has
succeeded in discovering the true cause of the trouble. Besides a
description of the experimental work the paper discusses methods of
preventing the souring of hams and the proper disposal of those which
have become affected.
Respectfully, A. D. MELVIN,
_Chief of Bureau_.
Hon. JAMES WILSON,
_Secretary of Agriculture_.