in 



INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE SAMPLING OF MATE- 

 RIALS TO BE SENT ON FOR EXAMINATION WITH 

 STATEMENTS OF CONDITIONS TO SECURE 

 ANALYSES FREE OF CHARGE. 



It has been deemed advisable to republish in detail the instruc- 

 tions regarding the proper mode of sampling soils, fertilizers and 

 other materials, both in bag and in bulk, and also the instructions 

 regarding the packing, marking and shipment of same to insure 

 prompt delivery; and that the results ot analyses may fairly represent 

 the average compositio7i of the material in question. Unless the sam- 

 ple forwarded for analysis is an average representative sample, the 

 results of our chemical investigation of the same become of little 

 value. We are much pleased to say, however, that we have every 

 reason to believe that the many samples received during the past 

 year have, as a whole, been taken intelligently, and there are indica- 

 tions that greater care is being exercised by parties sampling material 

 for analysis than ever before. It is our wish, however, that this sub- 

 ject may be called to the attention of as many farmers as possible, as 

 there is still chance for improvement. 



It is of the utmost importance that parties forwarding fertilizing 

 substances for examination should take particular pains in sampling, 

 packing and forwarding such materials, in order that the analyses 

 obtained may represent the average composition of the goods sam- 

 pled, and that no addition or loss of moisture in transportation may 

 happen. The samples received are entered on our records in the 

 order of their arrival at this ofifice, and each sample is assigned a 

 number and is taken up for investigation in the order in which it has 

 been received. 



The name of the sender should be inclosed in an envelope and 

 placed inside the receptacle, together with a statement of the nature 

 of the material forwarded for analysis ; whether it is an agricultural 

 chemical, mixed fertilizer, a wood ash, or the by-product of some 

 manufacturing industry, or a sample of soil. 



