4 BULLETIN 857, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



up, is in such cases absolutely essential to correct grading; but with- 

 out the aid of a mechanical device the retention of correct proportions 

 with such a reduction is hardly possible. 



One familiar with grain grading knows that to obtain uniform 

 results the tests and analyses must be made on samples obtained in a 

 uniform manner. It is surprising how slight a variation in the 

 method of obtaining either the original sample or a portion of the 

 sample for certain tests will cause a difference in the result; yet we 

 find many methods in everyday use, when the country as a whole 

 is considered. 



To grade grain accurately requires not only a thorough knowledge 

 of the grain to be graded and the grade requirements, but also ac- 

 curate determinations of the grading factors, and for these deter- 

 minations proper apparatus is necessary. A sample-splitting device 

 for reducing the size of a sample for analyses and testing is con- 

 sidered essential for correct grain grading, and for reasons already 

 explained the modified device described in this bulletin was designed 

 especially for use by country grain dealers. 



DESCRIPTION. 



The modified sampler consists primarily of the following parts: 

 Two cylinders partially nesting or telescoping; two pans, or con- 

 tainers; and three legs. The upper cylinder with its parts forms a 

 hopper with gate; the lower cylinder contains a spreading cone, 

 diverting ducts, and a funnel. Figure 2 shows the device completely 

 assembled and ready for operation. 



The upper cylinder is designed to slide down inside of the lower 

 cylinder until it rests upon the partitions of the diverting ducts ar- 

 ranged around the base of the cone, where it is held in proper posi- 

 tion. A funnel is set down inside of the upper cylinder so that with 

 the cylinder it forms a hopper of ample capacity, shown in figure 3. 

 This hopper is provided at its bottom with a gate that may be opened 

 or closed by means of a convenient handle extending through to the 

 outside of the cylinder. A bottom view of the hopper and gate is 

 shown in figure 4. 



The lower cylinder contains the spreading cone, and holds it so 

 that its point is directly under the center of the opening in the bot- 

 tom of the hopper in the upper cylinder. The diameter of the spread- 

 ing cone at its base is less than the diameter of the cylinder, and the 

 space between the cone and cylinder is subdivided into a given num- 

 ber of equal spaces by radial partitions extending from the base of 

 the cone to the cylinder wall. The arrangement of the partitions as 

 shown in figure 3 is such that any material passing through the de- 

 vice, by way of the hopper, and sliding down over the surface of the 

 cone, is divided into as many equal streams as there are spaces 

 between the partitions around the base of the cone. Every other 



