10 



The receipt of all samples will be acknowledged by return mail 

 and the results of analysis will be forwarded free of charge to all 

 farmers as soon as completed. 



The results of all analyses of samples made at the Station, free of 

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

 tion if deemed advisable. 



SAMPLING OF MATERIAL IN BULK. 



In sam[)iing such materials 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 con- 

 ditions of the original material. 



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 correct taking of representative soil samples, when such are 

 desired for chemical investigation, is of the first importance, as with- 

 out a properly taken sample, the results which a careful chemical 

 analysis will show become of little value. The sample should be 

 taken from different portions of the field and to a depth not exceed- 

 ing 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 pointed shovel or other instrument ; now 

 place a sharp bladed shovel at the point of separation of the surface 

 soil from the subsoil and by means of another flat bladed instrument 

 shave off a portion (about two inches) from all four sides of the 

 aperture letting the soil fall into a shovel which is held in a proper 

 position to receive the same. Place the soil in a suitable receptacle 

 and proceed to take other samples in a like manner from several 

 different parts of the field. The large bulk of soil which has thus 



