( lxxviii ) 
samples should be taken as before, except that when the manure is coarse and 
bulky, it is advisable to send larger samples than when it is in a finely-divided 
condition. 
SOILS, WATERS, &c. 
Soils. — Have a wooden box made 6 inches in length and width, and from 9 
to 12 inches deep, according to the depth of soil and subsoil of the field. Mark 
out in the field a space of about 12 inches square ; dig round in a slanting 
direction a trench, so as to leave undisturbed a block of soil and its subsoil 9 to 
12 inches deep ; trim this block to make it fit into the wooden box, invert the 
open box over it, press down firmly, then pass a spade under the box and lift 
it up, gently turn over the box, nail on the lid, and send by rail. The soil will 
then be received in the position in which it is found in the field. 
In the case of very light, sandy, and porous soils, the wooden box may be 
at once inverted over the soil and forced down by pressure, and then dug out. 
Waters. — Samples of water are best sent in glass-stoppered Winchester 
bottles, holding half a gallon. Care should be taken to have these scrupulously 
clean. In taking a sample of water for analysis it is advisable to reject the 
first portion drawn or pumped, so as to obtain a sample of the water when in 
ordinary flow. The bottle should be rinsed out with the water that is to be 
analysed, and it should be filled nearly to the top. The stopper should be se- 
cured with string, or be tied over with linen or soft leather. The sample can 
then be sent carefully packed either in a wooden box with sawdust, &c., or in a 
hamper with straw. 
Milk. — A pint bottle should be sent in a wooden box. 
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. 
Time for Taking Samples. — In justice to the vendor it is only fair 
that samples, both of manures and feeding- stuffs, should be taken as soon 
after their delivery as possible. In every case the Analyst’s certificate should 
be received before a manure is sown or a feeding-stuff is given to stock. 
Procedure in the Event of the V endor wishing Fresh Samples 
to be Drawn. — Should a purchaser find that the Analyst’s certificate shows 
a manure or feeding-stuff not to come up to the guarantee given him, he may 
inform the vendor of the result and complain accordingly. If then the vendor 
should demand that a fresh sample be drawn, the purchaser must allow this, 
and also give the vendor an opportunity of being present, either in person or 
through a representative whom he may appoint. In that case, samples 
should be taken in the presence of both parties with the same precautions as 
before described, but it is advisable to draw three samples, each of which 
should be duly packed up, labelled, and sealed by both parties. One of these 
is to be given to the vendor, who may send it for analysis to whomever he may 
select, and the other two samples should be kept by the purchaser for refer- 
ence or future analysis if necessary. But there is no occasion whatever at 
this stage for the purchaser to go to any further expense in having the fresh 
sample analysed on his behalf. This is a matter entirely for the vendor. 
12, Hanover Square, London, W, 
May, 1893. 
All samples should be addressed (postage or carriage prepaid) to the Con- 
sulting Chemist of the Society, Dr. J. Augustus VOELCKER, 12, Hanover Square, 
London, W. Separate letters of instruction should he sent at the same time. 
