July. 1938) INSPECTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 11 



REQUESTS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FEEDING 

 STUFFS BY INDIVIDUALS 



Under the Feeding Stuffs Law the Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station is charged only with the analysis of samples of 

 feeding stuffs collected by the State Inspector under the direc- 

 tion 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 ro base a claim for shortage. 



The Station can assume no responsibility for the sampl- 

 ing of these unofficial 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 feeding stuff 

 composed of several ingredients varying widely in compo- 

 sition without the aid of a sampling tube for drawing the 

 sample and proper equipment for mixing it. A feed may con- 

 tain as one of its ingredients gluten meal averaging 40 per cent 

 protein, and as another ingredient oat feed averaging five per 

 cent protein. These materials are so dift'erent 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 eft'ected on the basis of 

 an unofficial sample. 



Notwithstanding the objections which may be raised to 

 the analysis of samples taken without proper sampling equip- 

 ment, the Station is disposed to continue this work as long as 



