charge, are considered at the disposal of the managers for publica- 

 tion, if deemed advisable. 



AH samples should be addressed to Dr. C. A. Goessmann, 

 Chemical Department of the Hatch Experiment Station, 

 Amherst, Mass., to prevent possible delay. Express charges ought 

 to be prepaid. 



SAMPLING OF MATERIAL IN BULK. 



In sampling such material as wood ashes, cotton hull ashes, and, 

 in fact, any material in bulk, portions should be taken from various 

 parts of the heap and placed on a thick, smooth piece of paper and 

 thoroughly mixed ; from this mixture should be drawn a sample of 

 about one pound, which should be placed in a clean bottle, jar or tin 

 can, tightly stoppered and sealed, in order to retain the moisture of 

 the material unchanged. 



SAMPLING OF MATERIAL IN BAGS. 



In sampling material which is shipped in bags, portions should be 

 drawn from at least ten per cent of the number of bags present. A 

 fair sample may be obtained by emptying about ten per cent of the 

 bags present on a clean floor or other smooth surface, and thoroughly 

 mixing ; small amounts are then taken from different parts of the 

 heap and an average sample drawn as has been previously described. 



SAMPLING OF SOILS. 



The taking of representative soil samples, when such are desired 

 for chemical investigation, is of the first importance, as without 

 proper care in taking samples the results of a careful chemical analy- 

 sis become of little value. The sample should be taken from differ- 

 ent portions of the field and to a depth not exceeding the downward 

 limit of the surface soil. After selecting a place where a sample is 

 to be taken, pull up all growing vegetation and remove all surface 

 matter which is not a part of the soil. Dig a hole in the soil about 

 two feet square, making the sides smooth and clean by means of a 

 sharp bladed shovel or other instrument; now place a sharp bladed 

 shovel at the point of separation of the surface soil from the sub- 

 soil, and by means of another fiat bladed instrument shave off a 



