178 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 
we can gauge it so closely as to be able to state specifically that this 
cargo under certain conditions will deteriorate; that this cargo under 
certain conditions will carry safely. 
Mr. Scorr. Would an equally small difference in the moisture con- 
tained in wheat be shown as plainly as it is shown here in this corn? 
Mr. Covitte. Yes, sir; but there is less trouble in the case of wheat 
than of corn. Corn is acrop that does not always ripen properly, and 
there is a great deal of difficulty, especially in a season like the last. 
Our method in handling this is to take a small sample of corn and 
grind it; we grind a sample of 20 grams. (I have set up a little drug 
mill on the desk yonder). Our methods have to be precise. We 
place the sample in one of these dishes. We then set it into this oven 
and dry it for twelve hours at a uniform temperature of 100°. It 
ives us then a per cent of moisture, and to get a precise result we 
airy it twenty-four hours. It has taken us some little time to ascer- 
tain these facts; but the facts are simple. The outfit can be purchased 
for less than $50, and if application of these results can be made there 
should be but little trouble in supplying them. 
The CuarrMan. That will indicate the percentage of moisture, will it? 
Mr. Covitte. We weigh a sample after it has been dried for twelve 
hours, and then we get by different weight the amount of moisture that 
it contained, and we figure out the percentage from that. It is a sim- 
ple method of determination. We secure results accurately, within 
one-half or 1 per cent. 
The Cuarrman. I suppose with large cargoes you might get a dif- 
ferent percentage of moisture at different portions of it? Those car- 
goes consist of 50 or 60 carloads of corn or wheat or whatever it may 
be. How would you get over that, Professor? 
Mr. Covitiz. The inspection is made now by each carload. Thesam- 
ple is drawn from the interior of the carload by the sampler, and the 
whole thing is mixed, and then these hand tests are made. You can 
get it by that process of selection of the sample. 
Mr. Ropry. Like quartering down a mining sample? 
Mr. Covitie. Yes, sir. 
The Cuarrman. Do you think you can get it close enough by min- 
gling samples of several carloads? 
Mr. Covittz. In probably 49 cases out of 50 the inspectors—and 
the inspectors are exceedingly expert— can tell by the sense of touch 
that this sample would go way above 15 per cent, and this would go 
below 15 per cent—would be safe for grading for No. 2 corn, for 
example. It is only in these cases where the moisture comes near this 
crossing line where it would be necessary to shut acar out and subject 
it to a test of this sort. 
Mr. Scorr. Is the grade of corn determined always by the content 
of water? 
Mr. Covitte. No; this is simply one of the factors, but this is the 
one factor which is most difficult to determine, and is one factor, as it 
is easily measureable, which can be figured out mathematically. It is 
a factor that should be determined in that way. 
Mr. Scorr. And 15 per cent is supposed to be on the safe side! 
Mr. Covite. For certain purposes. Fifteen per cent of the mois- 
ture is ordinarily too much of a moisture to ship in the confined hold 
of _a vessel for a long voyage. 
Mr. Scorr. Has this apparatus of yours b dopted by th Ms 
ing officers in New York! : cia y fhe gale 
