22 BULLETIN 1471, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
oil-bearing seeds are taken at one-half the value of linseed. If the 
sample analyzed runs less than 96 per cent of flaxseed with the other 
oil seeds taken at one-half of their value, the seller must allow the 
buyer the difference. If the analysis shows above 96 per cent of 
flaxseed, the buyer pays the difference. 
With Indian seed, pure linseed is the basis, and the buyer receives 
an allowance equal to the percentage of impurities. If the quantity 
of flaxseed is less than 92 per cent, the buyer is allowed an additional 
discount equal to the excess of such impurities over 4 per cent. 
To receive the highest price, all seed when delivered at the port 
of destination must be in a sound and merchantable condition, sub- 
ject to any country-run damaged grains, and warranted to be a fail- 
average quality of the season at the time of shipment. The average 
quality of the seed is determined by comparison with a monthly stand- 
ard, made up by compositing the monthly arrivals from producing 
countries. Similar samples are sent to the Incorporated Oil Seed 
Association of London, England, which organization acts as a final 
referee in case disputes can not be settled in this country. 
Shipments are sampled by commercial inspectors who sample every 
sack. When the cargo has been unloaded, all the bag samples are 
thoroughly mixed together and then as many small samples as are 
necessary are made up in approximately 1-bushel size. Usually there 
is one sample for analysis, one for file, and one for the purchaser or 
seller if he wishes it. These samples are sealed and one is forwarded 
to the secretary of the association, who arranges for the anlyses to be 
made in the official laboratory. Any dispute arising over the per- 
centage of impurities or the quality of the flaxseed is usually settled 
by the interested parties themselves, although the custom of the 
trade of having a committee of referees appointed is sometimes re- 
sorted to. As a rule, no seed is refused but is taken at an allowance 
to be fixed by agreement. 
DOMESTIC FLAXSEED 
For the domestic crop there is no central agency or organization 
with a uniform set of rules and regulations applicable to the inspec- 
tion and grading of domestic flaxseed. On the contrary, the States 
of Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin and 
the boards of trade at Chicago, 111., and Sioux City, Iowa, and the 
chamber of commerce at St. Louis, Mo., each has its own grades for 
domestic flaxseed. 
RELATION BETWEEN NUMERICAL GRADE OF DOMESTIC FLAX- 
SEED AND OIL CONTENT OF THE SAMPLE 
The physical tests previously discussed are used by several grain- 
inspection departments as part of their work with official grades. 
The Minnesota State Grain Inspection Department is an example. 
It therefore becomes of interest to correlate the oil content of the 
samples with the numerical grade given them under the Minnesota 
State Grain Inspection Department rules. These data are given in 
Tables 16 and 17. 
