8 BULLETIN 374, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The formula for finding the percentage of shrinkage corresponding 
to any reduction in moisture content is as follows : 
G Percentage of] (Percentage of] \ 
dry matter : dry matter :: ICO : x )=\ Percentage of 
. after dryingJ I before dryingJ / L s ^ ln - a S e - 
Example. — Find the percentage of shrinkage when wheat has been dried from 18 
per cent moisture content to 12 per cent moisture content. 
Solution: 100- (88 : 82 :: 100 : »)=(100-93.18), which equals 6.82. 
In this case the moisture content was reduced by 6 per cent and 
the shrinkage in weight was 6.82 per cent. 
When the original weight and the moisture content before and 
after drying are known and it is desired to find the final weight, or, 
in other words, the weight of the dried material, it can be obtained 
by the formula — 
Percentage of] f Percentage of] „ . . „ . _. , 
dry matter : dry matter : : { 0n p*al j : J *^al 
after dryingJ I before dryingJ height./ Weight. 
Example. — If 2,000 pounds of grain containing 18 per cent of moisture has been dried 
and the grain tested 12 per cent of moisture after drying, what is the weight of the 
grain after drying? 
Applying the above formula gives — 
(S3 : 82 :: 2,000 : x)= (164000-^88), which equals 1,863.6. 
Therefore, the grain after drying weighed 1,863.6 pounds. 
EXPLANATION OF TABLES. 
Table I shows the percentage of shrinkage in weight correspond- 
ing to definite reductions in the moisture content. 
Tables II to XII, inclusive, show the comparative values on a dry- 
matter basis of grain, cottonseed, and other products containing 
various percentages of moisture. 
Tables II to IX, inclusive, are applicable to all grains, cottonseed, 
flour, and similar products, and give the comparative values for the 
dry matter in a unit containing from 10 to 24 per cent of moisture. 
These tables are based on even money for the units containing 10 to 
17 per cent of moisture, respectively. 
Tables X and XI are more particularly applicable to shelled corn 
and give the comparative values for the dry matter in a unit con- 
taining from 12 to 24 per cent of moisture. These tables are based 
on even money for units containing the maximum moisture allowed 
in the Government grades for No. 2 and No. 3 corn, respectively. 
Table XII gives the comparative values, by grades, of a unit of 
corn containing the maximum moisture allowed in each of the six 
numerical grades established by the Government. 
Tables snowing the comparative values of a unit of weight of grain 
on a dry-matter basis when applied to corn are applicable to shelled 
corn only. In ear corn, the cobs at the time of harvest test higher 
in moisture than the kernels, but during storage the cobs dry out 
faster than the kernels and contain less moisture than the kernels 
when the corn is in an air-dry condition. 
