24 QUICK METHOD FOE DETERMINING MOISTURE IN GRAIN. 



(G) The apparatus consists primarily of {a) an evaporatinjr 

 chamber divided into two or more compartments, (b) a copper tank 

 forming the condenser, and (c) a stand to support the evaporating 

 chamber, the condenser, and the burners. 



(7) The apparatus described shows six compartments, but it can 

 be made in any size desired. 



(8) The whole kernels are used for the test, no time being con- 

 sumed by grinding; moreover, damp or wet grain can not be ground 

 without a considerable loss of moisture. 



(9) Only one weighing is required, for which an ordinary torsion 

 balance is used, a delicate analytical balance being entirely unneces- 

 cessary. 



(10) One hundred grams of corn are used for the test; conse- 

 quently, each cubic centimeter of water in the graduated cylinder 

 represents 1 per cent of moisture. 



(11) When the thermometer in the distillation flask registers 190° 

 C. (374° F.) the gas should be turned off, after which eight or ten 

 minutes must elapse before the reading of the amount of water 

 expelled is made. 



(12) The distillation flask is closed and connected with the con- 

 denser tube by means of rubber stoppers of a grade that will not be 

 readih^ atfected by high temperatures. 



(13) The oil used is a good grade of pure hydrocarbon oil having 

 a flash point (in open cup) of from 200° C. to 205° C. Such oils are 

 sold in the market as " engine oils " and can be purchased in barrel 

 lots for 12^ or 15 cents a gallon. 



(14) The oil should be poured into the flask first to lessen the 

 danger of its being broken by the kernels of corn dropping on the 

 bottom. 



(15) The bulk samples from which the 100-gram samples are taken 

 for the moisture test must be kept in air-tight containers if accurate 

 results are expected. 



(16) The bulk samples should be taken in such a Avas as to repre- 

 sent the quality of the entire lot of grain under consideration. 



99 



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