30 CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 



WATERS. 



Samples of water for analysis should not he put into ordinary wine 

 bottles or stoneware jars stopped with corks, as thgse usually vitiate the 

 samples. Clear glass Winchester quarts with glass stoppers should be used. 

 Cases containing these, chemically cleaned, are forwarded from the 

 laboratory on application. 



Well water should be allowed to run for some time before the sample is 

 drawn. 



Standing water from cisterns, tanks, ponds, &c., should be sampled by 

 immersing the bottle entirely under the water, and holding it, neck ujj wards, 

 about four inches below the surface. 



Spring or stream water should be sampled in dry weather, l)y immersion, 

 if possible, but if not deep enough for that purpose, a perfectly clean cup 

 or glass should be used for transferring the water to the bottle. 



When the bottle has been filled the stopper should be rinsed in the water 

 before replacing. 



Samples should be despatched to the laboratory immediately after being 

 taken. 



HINTS FOR THE ADVANTAGEOUS PURCHASE OF MANURES 



AND FEEDING STUFFS. 



Before making a purchase, obtain a written or printed guarantee showing 

 the analysis of the material according to the forms recommended on page 

 (41). (Copies of these forms may be had on applying to F. N. Menzies, 

 3 George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh.) 



A sample of the material should be obtained at the same time. 



If a number of samples of a similar kind are obtained from different 

 sellers, the purchaser may be assisted in his selection by submitting these 

 along with their guarantees to the chemist, to be arranged according to their 

 order of merit, but the names of the sellers should not accompany the samples. 



When the substance has been bought and received, it should be sampled 

 in strict accordance with the Society's instructions for sampling, and due 

 notice should be given to the seller of the place and date of sampling, in 

 order that he or his agent may have the opportunity of witnessing the 

 operation. 



It should be no part of a bargain that deficiency in any one constituent 

 of a substance may be compensated by excess in another. 



Much more advantageous terms may be obtained, and expense of analysis 

 saved, if farmers in the same neighbourhood would club together, and make 

 a united purchase, to be delivered in bags according to their requirements 

 at some convenient centre. Information regarding the composition and cha- 

 racteristics of manures and feeding stuffs will be found on pages (32 and 38). 



In the case of feeding stuffs of a distinct kind, it will be advantageous to 

 obtain a guarantee oi purity along with the analytical guarantee. 



If the analysis obtained shows a marked deficiency in any of the con- 

 stituents guaranteed, the chemist should be asked to verify the accuracy of 

 his analysis, and if the deficiency is confirmed the seller should be informed 

 of it, and his explanation and the whole details of the transaction should 

 be forwarded to the Secretary of the Society, who will submit the matter to 

 the Chemical Committee. 



LOCAL ANALYTICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 



I. With the view of encouraging, as well as regulating the conduct of, 

 Local Analytical Associations^ the Society contributes from its funds 

 towards their expenses a sum not exceeding j£250 annually. 



