1 Ava., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. v. 
With a spade a slice of soil is now cut off and put on toa clean bag. The 
same is done with the subsoil, and the slice is taken from where the soil ends 
(or 12 inches) to the bottom of the hole, and this subsoil placed on another , 
bag. Stones over the size of a pea may be picked out, the rough quantity of 
such stones estimated, and a few enclosed with the samples. Fine roots must 
not be taken out from the soil samples. The same operation is repeated at 
the other places chosen. Careful note and description in each hole, asnumbered — 
and marked on plan given, and the samples of soil collected on the one bag 
thoroughly mixed by breaking up any large clods, and about 10 Ib. of the 
mixture put into a clean canvas bag, which is securely tied up and labelled. 
The same is done with the samples of subsoil collected on the other bag. 
All the samples collected are afterwards placed into a wooden box. 
Jt is important to use clean. bags and clean boxes, and also that the 
samples should not be left in the neighbourhood of stables or manure heaps. 
A short description of the land must accompany the samples and the sketch plan. 
In the case of cultivated land, state how long the land was under 
cultivation, what crops were chiefly grown, result of such crops, was any 
manure applied, when, and what sort, and in what quantities per acre. In the 
case of virgin soil, state if the land was heavily timbered or not, ringbarked, if 
serub or forest land, what sort of timber was chiefly growing on the land. In 
all cases a description of the neighbouring land, outcropping rocks, &e., are of 
great value. Also state if the land is naturally or artificially drained or not; 
describe the land as regards its position to hills, roads, creeks, ridges, &c. 
Only by adhering strictly to these instructions, and by giving minute details, 
benefit can be derived from the soil analyses. 
WATER. 
It is best to collect and forward samples of water for analysis in stoppered 
glass bottles, generally known as Winchester quarts. 
The bottles have to be perfectly clean, and stoppers must fit well. Corks 
should be avoided, but if used must be new and well washed with the water 
before being used for closing the bottle. 
When taking waters from taps, pumps, bores, the water has to be allowed 
to run for a while before taking the sample. When taking the water out of a 
well, pond, or river, the bottle is completely immersed, but care has to be 
taken not to disturb the mud or sediment at the bottom of the water, Before 
the sample is actually collected, the bottle is rinsed three times with the water, 
filling each time about one-third full. The bottle is then filled within about 
1 inch from the top; the stopper is inserted and securely tied down with a 
clean piece of linen or calico. 
The stopper must not be fastened or luted with sealing-wax, paste, plaster 
of paris, &c. 
MANURES. 
When taking samples of artificial manures out of bags, the sample must 
be taken from different bags and at different places of the bag and not only 
from the top, or the bags before being used are emptied on a heap and mixed 
up well and the sample then taken. About 1 to 2 1b. put into a clean bag 
should be forwarded for analysis. 
FOOD STUFES. 
It is always important to obtain good average samples, and this can onl 
be done by great care in taking the samples from different places, mixing well, 
and taking a small part of the mixture. This method would apply to any dry 
food-stufi—as grains of any kind, peas, beans, chaff, pollard, meal, &c. ‘For 
the analysis of green foods—as green hay, sorghum, silage—it is best to make 
a mixture of the sample by passing it through a chaffeutter, and by taking 
an accurately weighed quantity—say 1 1b. ‘This quantity may then be dried 
in the sun, taking care that nothing is lost, and when dry put in a bag and 
forwarded for analysis. The green samples may also be forwarded without 
drying in fruit-preserving jars. 
