Aug., 1932] INSPECTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 5 



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 

 direction 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 as to 

 whether or not the feed meets its guarantee and if it does 

 not, to obtain evidence upon which to base a claim for short- 

 age. 



The Station can assume no responsibility for the sampling 

 of these unofficial samples but can only attest the accuracy 

 of the results obtained on the sample as submitted. With 

 certain feeding stuffs it is practically impossible to take a 

 representative sample without the aid of a sampling tube 

 and other equipment. 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 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 there is evidence that it constitutes a useful service. The 

 samples so submitted should be drawn from at least ten bags 

 in a manner which will insure that the small lot sent for 

 analysis is as accurately representative as possible of the 

 larger lot from which it is taken. Because of the cost of 

 labor and materials an analysis is not usually warranted on a 

 sample drawn from less than a one ton lot of feed. 



