152 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 
METHODS OF ANALYSIS. 
It has seemed best to give with some detail the several methods of 
analysis employed in the foregoing work, in order that they may be sub- 
jected to criticism in so far as may be thought best, and adopted by others 
if upon a careful examination they shall appear worthy; but especially 
that the results reported may be hereafter subjected to revision when 
better methods may be devised than those employed in this work. Each 
for himself may determine how far the methods of separation have been 
successful. What is claimed is, that the work has been faithfully per- 
formed according to the described processes, and, in so far as was possible 
by such processes, the results may be relied upon by those having ocea- 
sion to make use of these published results. 
There yet remain many points which require to be carefully investi- 
gated, as will appear from what has been given, and any suggestions 
from those engaged in similar investigations will be very gratefully ac- 
knowledged. It is very much to be desired that something approaching 
uniformity in methods of proximate analysis be adopted, so that each 
may have the benefit of the work performed by all, and something like 
uniformity may exist in the methods and results of our several agricult- 
ural laboratories. 
Method for analysis of grain. 
1. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE.—The grain is carefully examined, ker- 
nel by kernel, and all unsound grains and extraneous matters rejected. 
It is then pulverized in an iron mortar, care being taken that none be 
lost. Finally it is all sifted through a sieve of eighty meshes to the lin- 
earinch. The powder so obtained is thoroughly separated from any iron 
derived from the mortar, by means of a magnet. It is then placed in 
wide-mouth cork-stoppered bottles. 
2. ESTIMATION OF MOISTURE.—A bout two grams of the finely pow- 
dered grain is dried in an air-bath, at a temperature of 110-1159 C. The 
drying requires from one to two days’ time; it is best to do it as rapidly 
as possible. The loss of weight is moisture. 
3. ESTIMATION OF ASH.—A bout two grams of the powdered grain (the 
residue after determination of moisture, usually) is ignited, at a red heat, 
over a Bunsen burner until nearly or quite free from carbonaceous mat- 
ter. The amount of ash thus obtained is a little greater than is found 
by the estimation of the several inorganic constituents; this excess is 
carbon and a little carbonic acid, and seldom exceeds .5 to .4 per cent. 
4, ESTIMATION OF CELLULOSE.—Four grams of the powdered grain is 
boiled with 200 ec. c. of 5 per cent. sulphuric acid, until the starch is all 
converted to glucose. This usually requires from six to eight hours. 
The separated cellulose and albuminoids are removed by use of a Bun- 
sen filter-pump and a fine linen filter, washed with water and transferred 
to the same beaker, when they are again boiled tor two hours with 150 
c. c. of 2 per cent. sodic hydrate solution. 
The liquid is filtered again through the same linen, and the cellulose 
upon the filter is well washed with hot water, alcohol of about 90 per 
cent., and ether. The cellulose is then transferred, by means of a pla- 
tinum spatula and camel’s hair brush, to a crucible, dried at 120° to 130° 
C., weighed, ignited, and again weighed. ‘he difference between these 
two weights equals, approximately, the amount of cellulose. The aceu- 
rate estimation of cellulose is yet very difficult, if not impossible, yet it 
is probable that results obtained as above stated are not far froi the 
truth. 
