544 COLLECTING AND PRESERVING SPECIMENS 



The amount of the sample must depend on the object of the work. 

 For general study and analysis, one quart is usually abundant, and 

 one pint is often adequate for chemical and physical analysis. For 

 private collections, even smaller samples put up in four- or six-ounce 

 vials of five or six inches in length, straight sides, and metal screw-top, 

 are very convenient. Regular specimen-jars holding about one-third 

 of a pint or more and with cork in the bottom are excellent for small 

 samples. For larger samples, screw-top glass fruit-jars are usually 

 the most convenient form of storage vessel. 



For shipping samples, a stout canvas bag closely woven and simply 

 labeled on a tag is most convenient, and several such samples may be 

 inclosed in a large bag of the same material. 



Samples of Seeds and Grains 



Every farmer should have samples in his study or elsewhere of the 

 common commercial grades of wheat, oats, and other grains, and speci- 

 mens of the seeds of the leading grasses and the most frequent weeds. 



He can secure the weed seeds from the plants themselves ; or in some 

 cases the Experiment Station will aid him to secure them. Whenever 

 a pernicious weed appears on the plantation, seeds should be saved of 

 it. The farmer should determine how it was introduced, whether 

 with grain or with grass seed ; he will then be on the guard for future 

 invasion. He should have a good hand lens with which to examine 

 all grass seed and clover seed that he purchases. 



He should have samples of 'pure grass seed, the different kinds of 

 clover, alfalfa, and similar crops. 



Samples of the different grades of wheat and other grains, of the 

 leading varieties, and of shrunken or injured grains, would be very 

 useful to persons who are engaged in the growing of grain or in the 

 handling of it. They will serve as standards. In some of the states, 

 the experiment stations supply such seeds ; if they do not supply them, 

 they can put the farmer in touch with the ways of securing them. 



All seeds should be placed in tight bottles and be thoroughly dried 

 before being put away. In bottles they are easy of examination, and 

 they are also free from weevils and other insects. If they should become 

 affected with insects, the pests may be destroyed by pouring a little 

 bisulfid of carbon into the bottle and quickly corking it up tight. 



