REQUESTS BY INDIVIDUALS FOR THE ANALYSIS 

 OF FEEDINGSTUFFS 



Under the feedingstiifFs law the Agricultural Experiment Station is 

 charged only with the analysis of samples of feedingstuffs collected by the 

 State Inspector under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture. It 

 does, however, each year analyze a considerable number of samples drawn 

 by individuals representing stock purchased by them for their own use. The 

 object of the purchaser who asks to have the sample analyzed is usually to 

 satisfy himself whether the feed meets its guarantee and if it does not, to 

 obtain evidence upon which to base a claim for shortage. 



The Station can assume no responsibility for the sampling of these un- 

 official samples but can attest only the accuracy of the analysis of the sample 

 as submitted. It is practically impossible to secure a representative sample 

 of a feedingstuff composed of several ingredients varying widely in composi- 

 tion without the aid of a sampling tube for drawing the sample and proper 

 equipment for mixing it. A feed may contain as one of its ingredients gluten 

 meal averaging 40 per cent protein, and as another ingredient oat mill feed 

 averaging five per cent protein. These materials are so different in physical 

 condition that the shaking in transit tends to separate them even though 

 they may have been perfectly mixed by the manufacturer before bagging. 

 It is apparent that an accurate sample of a ton of this feed can only be had 

 by drawing a core from several bags. The official method requires ten. Since 

 a representative sample is as essential as an accurate analysis in judging the 

 value of a shipment of feed, it is evident that a satisfactory adjustment can 

 seldom be effected on the basis of an unofficial sample. 



Notwithstanding the objections which may be raised to the analysis of 

 samples taken without proper sampling equipment, the Station is disposed 

 to continue this work as long as there is evidence that it constitutes a useful 

 service. The samples so submitted should be drawn from at least ten bags in 

 a manner which will insure that the small lot sent for analysis is as accu- 

 rately representative as possible of the large lot from which it is taken. Be- 

 cause of the cost of labor and materials, an analysis is not usually warranted 

 on a sample drawn from less than a one-ton lot of feed. 



A one pound sample is sufficient for the analysis. It should be sent in a 

 glass jar or tin box to prevent loss of fine particles or a change in the moisture 

 content. In order that the department may have a satisfactory record of the 

 sample analyzed, and may know whether or not the manufacturer and the 

 dealer are complying with the requirements of the law, the following informa- 

 tion should be submitted concerning each sample. 



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