EXPERIMENT STATION. 19 



THE CONNECTICUT 

 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Instructions for Sampling Commercial Fertilizers. 



The Commercial Value of a high-priced Fertilizer can be esti- 

 mated, if the amounts ^er cent, of its principal fertilizing elements 

 are known. Chemical analysis of a small sample, so taken as to 

 fairly represent a large lot, will show the composition of the lot. 

 The subjoined instructions, if faithfully followed, will insure a fair 

 sample. Especial care should be observed that the sample neither 

 gains nor loses moisture during the sampling or sending, as may 

 easily happen in extremes of weather, or from even a short expos- 

 ure to sun and wind, or from keeping in a poorly closed vessel. 



1. Provide a tea cup, some large papers, and for each sample a 

 glass fruit-can or tin box, holding about owe quart, that can be 

 tightly closed — all to be clean and dry. 



2. Weigh separately at least three (3) average packages (bar- 

 rels or bags) of the fertilizer, and enter these actual weights in 

 the " Form for description of Sample." 



3. Open the packages that have been weighed, and mix well 

 together the contents of each, down to one-half its depth, empty- 

 ing out upon a clean floor if needful, and crushing any soft, moist 

 lumps in order to facilitate mixture, but leaving hard, dry lumps 

 unbroken, so that the sample shall exhibit the texture and mechan- 

 ical condition of the fertilizer. 



4. Take out five (5) equal cupfulls from different parts of the 

 mixed portions of each package. Pour them (15 in all) one over 

 another upon a paper, intermix again thoroughly but quickly to 

 avoid loss or gain of moisture, fill a can or box from this mixture, 

 close tightly, label plainly, and send, charges prepaid, to 



The Conn. Agricultural Experiment Station, 



New Haven, Conn. 



The foregoing instructions may be over-nice in some cases, but 

 they are not intended to take the place of good sense on the part 

 of those who are interested in learning the true composition of a 

 fertilizer. Any method of operating that will yield 2i fair sample 

 is good enough. 



