4 BULLETIN 857, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
up, is in such cases absolutely essential to correct grading; but with- 
out the aid of a mechanical device the retention of correct ey ae 
with such a reduction is hardly possible. 
One familiar with grain grading knows that to obtain Gane 
results the tests and analyses must be made on samples obtained in a 
uniform manner. It is surprising how slight a variation in the 
method of obtaining either the original sample or a portion of the 
sample for certain tests will cause a difference in the result; yet we 
find many methods in everyday use, when the country as a whole 
is considered. 
To grade grain accurately requires not only a thorough knowledge 
of the grain to be graded and the grade requirements, but also ac- 
curate determinations of the grading factors, and for these deter- 
minations proper apparatus is necessary. A sample-splitting device 
for reducing the size of a sample for analyses and testing is con- 
sidered essential for correct grain grading, and for reasons already 
explained the modified device described in this bulletin was designed 
especially for use by country grain dealers. 
DESCRIPTION. 
The modified sampler consists :primarily of the following parts: 
Two cylinders partially nesting or telescoping; two pans, or con- 
tainers; and three legs. The upper cylinder with its parts forms a 
hopper with gate; the lower cylinder contains a spreading cone, 
diverting ducts, and a funnel. Figure 2 shows the device completely 
assembled and ready for operation. 
The upper cylinder is designed to slide down inside of the lower 
cylinder until it rests upon the partitions of the diverting ducts ar- 
ranged around the base of the cone, where it is held in proper posi- 
tion. A funnel is set down inside of the upper cylinder so that with 
the cylinder it forms a hopper of ample capacity, shown in figure 3. 
This hopper is provided at its bottom with a gate that may be opened 
or closed by means of a convenient handle extending through to the 
outside of the cylinder. A bottom view of the hopper and gate is 
shown in figure 4. 
The lower cylinder contains the spreading cone, and holds it so 
that its point is directly under the center of the opening in the bot- 
tom of the hopper in the upper cylinder. The diameter of the spread- 
ing cone at its base is less than the diameter of the cylinder, and the 
space between the cone and cylinder is subdivided into a given num- 
ber of equal spaces by radial partitions extending from the base of 
the cone to the cylinder wall. The arrangement of the partitions as 
shown in figure 3 is such that any material passing through the de- 
vice, by way of the hopper, and sliding down over the surface of the 
cone, is divided into as many equal streams as there are spaces 
- between the partitions around the base of the cone. Every other 
ty 
