8 BULLETIN 558, TJ. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGEICTJLTUEE. 



ing a test weight varies widely at different elevators. Usually, how- 

 ever, it is made with a hand scale (see fig. 1), which has a kettle hold- 

 ing one or t'wo quarts, the beam being graduated to read direct in 

 pounds per bushel. The weight can be varied considerably by the 

 manner in which the kettle is filled. Often it is merely dipped into 

 the grain. Again it is partly buried and the grain scooped in over 

 the sides with the hands, or the grain may be poured into the kettle 

 from varying elevations, either a handful at a time or in a constant 

 stream. In removing surplus grain (in order to level the kettle) an 

 instrument is sometimes used that tends to pack it into the kettle. 

 Frequently the kettle is jarred to settle the grain before the surplus 

 is struck off,- while in many places the beam of the scale is used for 

 striking off the surplus, and this eventually wears the edges to such 

 an extent that inaccurate weights are obtained. Thus, unless a uni- 

 form method of making the test prevails, there is opportunity for 

 considerable variation in the test weight of the same sample. 



The department has now adopted, in connection with the enforce- 

 ment of the United States grain standards Act, a standard method 

 and apparatus for determining the test weight of grain, which is 

 being used generally. 1 



VABIATION IN TEST WEIGHT. 



During the summer of 1915, 154 samples of wheat, oats, and rye 

 were taken at various elevators in the grain belt, and the elevator 

 operators were requested to supply the test weights as ascertained 

 by them. The samples were then placed in air-tight containers, 

 shipped to the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, and the 

 test weight at once determined with a scale similar to the one used 

 in the standard method adopted by the Department of Agriculture. 



The number of samples taken was not sufficient to justify exact 

 conclusions, but the results obtained indicate that there is consider- 

 able variation. 



Only 10 of the 154 samples showed a higher test weight here than 

 at the country elevator, the maximum difference being 4.5 pounds. 

 Sixteen samples showed no difference, while 128 tested lower here 

 than at the elevator, the greatest variation being 6.5 pounds. The 

 average of the test weights obtained at this office was 1.34 pounds 

 lower than the average of the test at country elevators. 



The country dealers frequently allow the test weight that is shown 

 when the poise is moved far enough on the beam to bear it down (as 

 in fig. 1), while the inspectors at terminal markets use the weight 

 shown when the beam balances, or at the nearest half-pound frac- 

 tion before that point. In this way the farmer frequently secures the 



1 Boerner, E. G. Improved apparatus for determining the test weight of grain with 

 a standard method of making the test. United States Department of Agriculture, 

 Bulletin 472, 1916. 



