SUMM.AHY. 



i>a 



give the same result.s, and in sueh cases a variation of one-half of 1 

 per cent or more is to be expected, Avhatever method is used for 

 determinintr the percentage of moisture. But if the corn being ex- 

 amined is of uniform quality and the moisture determinations are 

 carefully made, the variation in the results of dui)licate tests will 

 usually not exceed one-fifth of 1 per cent, Avhile many samples ^vill 

 give a much smaller variation. However, a variation of even one- 

 half of 1 per cent is sufficiently close for all commercial work, inas- 

 much as two samples taken on ditl'erent days or from dill'erent i>arts 

 of the same car or cargo will generally show a much greater variation 

 than this. 



Tal)le II shows the results of the determinations of 15 samples of 

 corn, representing almost all grades from new corn to wet and larvse- 

 eaten samples, in which the average variation is 0.22 per cent. 



T.\Bi.F, II. — 1'«r/(///o</s in {]ic pcrccntatjc of moisture obtained front different 



tests made from the same lot of corn. 



SUMMARY. 



(1) The principal cause of the deterioration of corn in storage or 

 during transit is an excessive amount of moisture. 



(2) With the method and apparatus herein described for making 

 moisture determinations, a percentage system of grading corn is well 

 within the possibilities of the trade. 



(3) The method described consists primarily in heating a definite 

 quantity of corn in an oil bath to drive off the water, wdiich is con- 

 densed and measured in a graduated cylinder. 



(4) The time required for making the moisture determination will 

 be from tw^enty to twenty-five minutes. 



(5) With the proposed quick method for making moisture deter- 

 minations one man familiar Avith laboratory work, with an assistant, 

 should be able to test 200 samples in a day of eight houi's. 



99 



