4 
BULLETIN 374, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
METHOD OF DETERMINING COMPARATIVE VALUES ON A DRY-MATTER 
BASIS. 
The comparative values given in Tables II to XII, inclusive, are 
based on the dry matter contained in a unit of weight. The water 
contained is not considered as having any intrinsic value; therefore 
the whole value for any unit of weight is credited to the dry matter 
which it contains. 
The method of arriv- 
ing at comparative 
values of the dry mat- 
ter contained in a unit 
of weight, when every- 
thing but moisture is 
considered as being 
equal, is explained in 
the solution of the fol- 
lowing problem : 
Example. — If the dry 
matter in a unit of weight 
(bushel, 100 pounds, etc.) 
of any grain, cottonseed, 
or similar product testing 
10 per cent in moisture is 
worth $1.20, what is the 
value of the dry matter in 
a similar unit of weight of 
the same product which 
tests 16 per cent in mois- 
ture? 
s4 A5* i^yo/^Ty-/ 
A unit of weight of 
grain, cottonseed, or 
similar product test- 
ing 10 per cent in 
moisture contains 90 
per cent of dry matter 
and 10 per cent of 
water. If the 90 per 
cent which is drv mat- 
Fia. 3. — Diagram illustrating the comparative values cf the dry mat- 
ter in . ; 1- oshel units of wheat testing 10 and 16 per cent in 
moisture, respectively, based on a bushel of wheat testing 13 per 
cent in moisture being worth $1.20. 
ter is worth 81.20, then each 1 per cent of the dry matter is worth 
1/90 of 11.20, or 1.3333+ cents, and the dry matter in a similar 
unit testing 16 per cent in moisture and therefore having 84 per cent 
of dry matter is worth 81 X 1.3333+ cents, or $1.12. This is graph- 
ically illustrated in figure 3. 
If it is desired to extend any one of Tables II to XII, inclusive, so as 
to ascertain the comparative value of a unit which contains either 
more or less moisture than any unit shown in the table, it is only 
necessary to calculate the percentage of dry matter contained in this 
