July, 1940] Inspection of Feeding Stuffs 9 



Requests By Individuals For The Analysis 

 Of Feeding Stuffs 



Under the feeding stuffs laws the Agricultural Experiment 

 Station is charged only with the analysis of samples of feeding 

 stuffs collected by the State Inspector under the direction of 

 the Commissioner of Agriculture. It does, however, each /ear 

 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 guaran- 

 tee and if it does not, to obtain evidence upon which to base a 

 claim for shortage. 



The Station can assume no responsibility for the sampling 

 of these unofficial samples but can attest only the accuracy of 

 the analysis of the sample as submitted. It is practically im- 

 possible to secure a representative sample of a feeding stuff 

 composed of several ingredients varying widely in composition 

 without the aid of a sampling tube for drawing the sample and 

 proper equipment for mixing it. A feed may contain as one 

 of its ingredients gluten meal averaging 40 per cent protein, 

 and as another ingredient oat mill feed averaging five per cent 

 protein. These materials are so different in physical condition 

 that the shaking in transit tends to separate them even though 

 they may have been perfectly mixed by the manufacturer be- 

 fore 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 effected on the basis of an unofficial 

 sam.ple. 



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 

 there is evidence that it constitutes a useful service. The sam- 

 ples so submitted should be drawn from at least ten bags in a 

 manner which will insure that the small lot sent for analysis 



