57 



4- It should be remembered that, with few exceptions, feeds of 

 this character are mixtures of inferior material with that of recog- 

 nized value ; the intelligent purchaser should not be led to consider 

 such mixtures of equal worth with high grade concentrates. 



5. Our results indicate that most molasses feeds contain fewer 

 whole seeds than formerly, and that their germinating power has been 

 noticeably reduced. At ihe same time the present condition in case 

 of most of the feeds is far from satisfactory. 



WEIGHT OF SACKED FEEDS. 



From time to time the experiment station has been requested by 

 jobbers in feeding stuffs to make check weights on sacked feeds. 

 Up to this time but little attention has been given to this matter, 

 but data recently secured show that while the Massachusetts law 

 states explicitly that the net weight of each package should be attached 

 the practice has been with very few exceptions to state gross weight 

 as net. 



When feed stuffs sold for $15 a ton, and less, the difference in 

 value between net and gross weight of sacked feeds amounted to 

 comparatively little, but at present the " value difference " is much 

 greater. According to the statement of a large bag manufacturing 

 concern, the average weight of a new sack such as is ordinarily used 

 for 100 pounds of feed, is 11 to iii;^ ounces. The sacks used for 

 a ton of feed would, therefore, weigh about 14 pounds, and those 

 used for a twenty-ton car would weigh about 280 pounds. Two hun- 

 dred and eighty pounds of feed at $32 a ton, would be worth $4.48, 



The difference between net and gross weight was not the only 

 variation noted, and it is believed that in several instances the cause 

 of the short weights observed was due to gross carelessness, if not 

 to intentional deception. The variations in weight of sacked feeds 

 can probably be accounted for by some of the following reasons : 



1. Carelessness in sacking. 



a. Failure to check automatic scales. 



b. Allowing scales to get out of adjustment. 



c. Loss from sacks after weighing and before sewing. 



2. Change in moisture content of the feed. In this case, even 

 where the original weighing is correct, if a considerable time elapses 

 before it reaches the consumer a shrinkage in weight may occur. 



