Instructions for Selecting and Sending Samples for Analysis. 
GENERAL RULES.— (1.) A sample taken for analysis should be fairly representative 
of the bulk from which it has been drawn.— (2.) The sample should reach the Analyst 
in the same condition that it was in at the time when drawn. 
When Fertilisers are delivered in bags, select four or five of these from the hulk, 
and either turn them out on a floor and rapidly mix their contents, or else drive a 
shovel into each bag and draw out from as near the centre as possible a couple of 
shovelfuls of the manure, and mix these quickly on a floor. 
Halve the heap obtained in either of these ways, take one half (rejecting the other) 
and mix again rapidly, flattening down with the shovel any lumps that appear. 
Repeat this operation until at last only some three or four pounds are left. 
From this fill three tins, holding from Jib. to lib. each, mark, fasten up and seal 
each of these. Send one for analysis, and retain the others for reference. 
Or,— the manure may be put into glass bottles provided with well-fitting corks ; 
the bottles should be labelled and the corks sealed down. The sample sent for 
analysis can he packed in a wooden box and sent by post or rail. 
When manures are delivered in bulk, portions should be successively drawn from 
different parts of the bulk, the heap being turned over now and again. The portions 
drawn should be thoroughly mixed, subdivided, and, finally, 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. 
Linseed, Cotton, and other Feeding Cakes.— If a single cake betaken, three strips 
should be broken off right across the cake, and from the middle portion of it, one piece 
to he sent for analysis, and the other two retained for reference. Each of the three 
pieces should be marked, wrapped in paper, fastened up, and sealed. The piece 
forwarded for analysis can he sent by post or rail. 
A more satisfactory plan is to select four to six cakes from different parts of the 
delivery, then break off a piece about four inches wide from the middle of each cake, 
and pass these pieces through a cake-breaker. The broken cake should then be well 
mixed and three samples of about 1 lb. each should be taken and kept in tins or bags, 
duly marked, fastened, and sealed as before. One of these lots should be sent for 
analysis, the remaining two being kept for reference. It is advisable also with the 
broken pieces to send a small strip from an unbroken cake. 
Feeding Meals, Grain, &c. — Handfuls should be drawn from the centre of half a 
dozen different bags of the delivery ; these lots should then he well mixed, and three 
i-lb. tins or bags filled from the heap, each being marked, fastened up, and sealed. One 
sample is to be forwarded for analysis and the others retained for reference. 
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 to 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, forced down by pressure, and then dug out. 
Waters.— Samples of water are best sent in glass-stoppered Winchester bottles, 
holding half a gallon. One such bottle is sufficient for a single sample. 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 
secured 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 he sent in a wooden box. 
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. Time for Taking Samples.— All samples, both of 
fertilisers and feeding stuffs, should be taken as soon after their delivery as possible, 
and should reach the Analyst within ten days after delivery of the article. In every 
case it is advisable that the Analyst's certificate be received before a fertiliser is sown 
or a feeding stuff is given to stock. 
Procedure in the Event of the Vendor wishing Fresh Samples to be Drawn.— 
Should a purchaser find that the Analyst’s certificate shows a fertiliser or feeding stuff 
not to come up to the guarantee given him, he may inform the vendor of the result 
and complain accordingly. He should then send to the vendor one of the two samples 
which he has kept for reference. If, however, the vendor should demand that a fresh 
sample be drawn, the purchaser must allow this, and also give the vendor an oppor- 
tunity of being present, either in person or through a representative whom he may 
appoint. In that case three samples should be taken in the presence of both parties 
with the same precautions as before described, each of which should be duly packed 
up, labelled and sealed by both parties. One of these is to be given to the vendor, one 
is to be sent to the Analyst, and the third is to be kept by the purchaser for reference 
or future analysis if necessary. 
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