24 N. H. EXPERIMENT STATION (Bulletin 297 



REQUESTS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FEEDING 



STUFFS BY INDIVIDUALS 



Under the Feeding Stuffs Law 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 year analyze a 

 considerable number of samples drawn by individuals 

 representing stock purchased by them for their own 

 use. The object of the purchaser vdio 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 impossible 

 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 feed averaging five per cent 

 protein. These materials are so different in physi- 

 cal condition that the shaking in transit tends to 

 separate them even though they may have been perfect- 

 ly 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 effected on the basis of an unofficial 

 sample. 



Notwithstanding the objections which may be 

 raised to the analysis of samples taken without proper 

 sampling equipment, the Station is disposed to con- 

 tinue this work as long as there is evidence that it 

 constitutes a useful service. The samples so sub- 

 mitted should be drawn from at least ten bags in a 

 manner viiich will insure that the small lot sent for 

 analysis is as accurately representative as possible 



