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 iirst 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 aper- 

 ture, letting the soil fall into a shovel which is held in a proper posi- 

 tion 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 been taken 

 is now placed on a clean floor or on a large piece of thick paper and 

 thoroughly broken up and mixed, after which an average sample is 

 drawn and placed in a glass jar or bottle. The bottle is then 

 securely stoppered and sealed, properly labelled and forwarded for 

 the subsequent chemical examination 



A description of the soil should accompany the sample or be sent 

 in a sealed letter, setting forth the locality, depth at which the sam- 

 ple was taken, nature of subsoil and depth, the method of fertilization 

 and crop rotation which has been in practice, general fitness of land 

 for cultivation and all other information that would be of interest or 

 assistance to the chemist in formulating his report. 



Care should be exercised in sampling when the weather conditions 



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