The samples in the following tables, unless other- 

 Method of wise specified, were drawn by an authorized agent 

 Collecting who is an assistant and chemist at the Exper- 

 Samples. iment Station and were taken according to 

 the requirements of the Massachusetts fertilizer 

 laws. It is the usual custom, in case of large shipments of fertilizer, 

 to sample at least ten per cent of the bags present. Where only a 

 few bags of any one brand are in stock, a portion is taken from at 

 least three packages. 



The sample is secured by means of a metal sampling tube which 

 takes a portion of the fertilizer the entire length of the bag. The 

 portions drawn from the several bags are placed on a piece of clean, 

 smooth oil cloth or paper, find after being thoroughly mixed are 

 transferred to two glass jars. .\ guarantee slip is filled out from 

 the data given on the bags sampled ; this slip is folded and 

 placed inside of the jar containing the sample which is to be 

 forwarded to the Station laboratory. Both jars are then sealed 

 and a label is attached to the one that is to be left with the 

 agent, said label giving brand, name and address of manufacturer as 

 well as agent, also date and place of sampling. Samples are drawn in 

 the presence of the agent or his representative and the guarantee 

 slips and identification labels are signed by the collector and the 

 fertilizer agent or one witness. 



Samples of the same brand are taken in various parts of the state 

 whenever possible, and an analysis is made of a composite composed 

 of equal weights of the several lots belonging to that brand. 



Samples were taken this year in about eighty towns and cities rep- 

 resenting every county in the state. The list of towns visited is 

 varied more or less from year to year and an effort is made to inspect 

 every brand which is licensed. In case our collectors fail to find cer- 

 tain brands, the manufacturer is asked to furnish a list of agents hav- 

 ing them in stock ; these agents are visited and samples are procured 

 so far as possible. In case we are unable to locate a brand, the man- 

 ufacturer is given the privilege of sending a representative certified 

 sample for analysis; these samples are designated in the tables as 

 manufacturers' samples. 



