July, 1934 I INSPECTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 5 



The Station can assume no responsibility for the sampling 

 of these unofficial samples but can only attest the accuracy 

 of the analysis of the sample as submitted. It is practicdly 

 impossible to secure a representative sample of a feeding 

 stuff composed of several ingredients varying widely in com- 

 position 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 several ingredients gluten meal 

 averaging 40 per cent protein, and as another ingredient oat 

 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 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 re- 

 quires 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 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. 



A one pound sample is sufficient for the analysis. It 

 should be sent in a glass jar or tin box to prevent the loss 

 of fine particles and a change in the moisture content. In 

 order that the Department may have a satisfactory record 

 of the sample analyzed and may know whether or not the 

 manufacturer and the dealer are complying with the require- 

 ments of the law, the following information should be sub- 

 mitted concerning each sample. 



