August, 1935] INSPECTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 7 



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 whether 

 the feed meets its guarantee 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 only attest 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 compo- 

 sition 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 feed averag- 

 ing five per cent protein. These materials are so different 

 in physical condition that the shaking in transit tends to sep- 

 arate 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 



