METHOD OF FRENCH SUGAR CHEMISTS 1 7 



of the sample should be secured. If there seems to be any reason- 

 able doubt regarding the character of the sample, its source 

 should be investigated and a proper sample secured. In general, 

 the principles which should guide the securing of samples of 

 this kind of material are those which are in vogue for ordinary 

 mineral analyses, save the larger quantity of road material which 

 is usually required. 



19. Absence of Official Methods. Although the proper study of 

 a fertilizer has its chief economic value when the analysis is con- 

 ducted on a representative sample, the official chemists have given 

 but scant attention to the subject of sampling. It is evident that 

 a detailed description of the procedure to be followed in each 

 case would be practically impossible. In such a variety of com- 

 pounds as is presented by fertilizing materials and fertilizers, and 

 especially manures, the good judgment of the chemist in charge of 

 the sample must point the way to securing reasonably satisfactory 

 results. Patience and ingenuity will lead to the solution of the 

 most intricate problems which may arise. 



20. Method of the French Experiment Stations. In the method 

 employed by the French experiment stations, it is directed that 

 in no case should stones or other foreign particles be removed from 

 the fertilizer sampled, but they should enter into the sample 

 in, as nearly as possible, the same proportions as they exist in 

 the whole mass. 



In the case of stones or other solid masses which are to be 

 sampled, as many portions as possible should be taken from all 

 parts of the heap and these should be reduced to a coarse powder, 

 thoroughly mixed together and sampled. 



In case the material is in the form of a paste, if it is homo- 

 geneous, it will be sufficient to mix it well ; but in case there is a 

 tendency for the pasty mass to separate into two parts, of which 

 the one is a liquid and the other more of a solid consistence, 

 it may be well to get samples from each in case they can not be 

 thoroughly incorporated by stirring. 



21. Method of the French Association of Sugar Chemists. The 

 method adopted by the French sugar chemists directs that the 

 sampling should begin with the fertilizer in bulk or from a portion 



