56 
BULLETIN 1210, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
II. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE. 
Preparation 5. The sample shall be completely melted at the lowest possible 
of sample. temperature, beating only sufficiently to bring the product Into a 
fluid condition, but not above 350" F:, and stirred thoroughly 
until it is homogeneous and free from air bubbles. 
The brass collar shall be placed with the smaller end on a 
brass plate which has been previously amalgamated with mer- 
cury by first rubbing it with a dilute solution ol mercuric chlo- 
ride or nitrate and then with mercury. The sample shall be 
Tapered to 
make Weight ' 
fs+'d Threads*: 
/V-I.SOScrrf^ 
Tope red to 
make Weight -- 
±\o-oo^ OJ53±OOOJcm 
0.153 ± 0.00 1 cm.- 
Cj 
^ 
, I.ZSem\ 
">\t0.002f"' 
Weight of Float 37.95 g ±0.15 g. 
♦> pf Collar 9.95g.±0.05g. 
Fig. 2. — Aluminum float for float ttust. 
poured Into the collar in any convenient way until slightly more 
than level with the top. It shall be cooled to room temperature, 
placed in water maintained at 5 Q < !. for 5 minutes, after which the 
surplus material shall be removed by means of a spatula, or steel 
knife, Which has been Slightly heated. The collar and plate shall 
then be placed in a tin cup containing ice water maintained at 
5° <\. ±\° <\. and left in this bath for at least 15 minutes. 
III. PROCEDURE. 
Method ol test. 6. (a) The bath shall be filled with water and the water heated 
to the temperature at which the test is to be made. This tem- 
perature shall be accurately maintained and shall at no time 
