Smithsonian Report, 1953. — Aebersold 



PLATE 4 



1. Pictured here is a typical counting setup for assaying radioactive samples in the labora- 

 tory. The cylindrical unit on the work bench at the right is a shielded container, often 

 called a "pig," housing a geiger counter. The sample to be counted has been placed on 

 one of the shelves in the "pig." The rectangular unit in the center is the scaler, which 

 picks up the impulse from the counter, amplifies it, and records it on a mechanical counter. 

 The plastic box on the left is a container to hold various absorbers which will be used in 

 counting certain samples. The absorbers, usually aluminum sheets, are placed in the 

 "pig" on a shelf abo\'e the sample. 



, Here we see the application of radioactive phosphate fertilizer. The fertilizer is prepared 

 in the laboratory and then applied to the soil from a hopper attached to the tractor shown 

 in the photograph. The operator in the foreground is surveying the row with a radiation- 

 survey meter to determine the distribution of the radioactive fertilizer. Note that both 

 of the men in the foreground are wearing dust masks to prevent possible inhalation of the 

 radioactive fertilizer. 



