Soapstone Adulteration of Butter
THE Bethlehem (Penn.) Times is concerned to know what becomes of all the soapstone, and the hint it gives as to the possible use made of it is one to cause butter-consumers concern too. From his boyhood, the editor says, he has known of veins of soapstone in the hill just north of Easton. For years, all projects to make them profitable, failed. But singular to say, just about the time oleomargarine came to the front, the soapstone quarries were monopolized, mills were leased for grinding the rock, and vast quantities were shipped to New York. The soft, smooth, greasy quality of powdered soapstone renders it peculiarly suited for adulterating butter, with which it may be mixed to the extent of twenty to twenty-five per cent. without detection by ordinary inspection.