1 Noy., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 
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Sugar-cane, sugar-beet, megass—Analysis of a a 
f more than one sample, every additional sample 
Sugar-cane juice—Hstimation of cane-sugar, fruit-sugar, total 
sohds, water, quotient of purity, ,/° Brix or Beaume 
Tf more than one sample, every additional sample 
Sugars, massecuites, molasses, jellies—Analysis of 25 
If more than one sample, every additional sample 
Milk, butter, cheese—Complete commercial analysis ... 
Tanning materials—Assay of tannin 
Sonps—Commercial analysis 
Limestone, cement, clay, marls, &c. ai Pres ys 43 
The fee for any other analytical work not mentioned may be learned on application. 
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING AND COLLECTING OF SAMPLES. 
SOILS AND SUBSOILS. 
In order to obtain a fair average sample of the soil from a block of land, 
a meat as possible equal quantities of soil are collected from various parts of 
the field. 
A rough sketch of the field, paddock, or block of land from which the 
samples were taken should accompany the samples. ‘The spots where the 
samples were taken are marked on this plan and are numbered. ‘This sketch 
plan should also indicate position of roads, creeks, gullies, ridges, general fall, 
and aspect of the land, &e. 
Should the soil in various parts of the block show a very marked 
difference, it will be necessary to divide the block into two, rarely in more, 
parts. Should the different soil occur only in a small patch, this sample may 
be left out. 
Not less than three samples should be taken in each section. A greater 
number is to be preferred, as a better average will be obtained. 
At the places chosen for the taking of the samples the surface is slightly 
scraped with a sharp tool, to remove any surface vegetation which has not as 
yet become part of the soil. 
Vertical holes from 10 to 18 inches square are dug in the ground toa 
depth of 2 feet 6 inches to 8 feet. 
The holes are dug out like post-holes ; an earth-auger facilitates the opera- 
tion considerably, and the holes may be trimmed with the spade afterwards. 
Careful note of the appearance of the freshly cut soil and subsoil should 
be taken. The depth of the real soil, which in most cases is easily distinguished, 
is also measured and noted for each hole. Note how deep the roots of the 
surface vegetation reach into the soil. Ifthe soil changes gradually into the 
subsoil, as is the case in some places where the soil is of very great depth, 
this line of division is guessed approximately, or it is best to take the soil 
uniformly to a depth of 12 inches. 
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. ‘Take careful note and description of soils in each hole, as 
numbered and marked on plan given. The samples of soil collected on the one 
bag are 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 in a wooden box. 
It 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 has been under 
cultivation, what crops were chiefly grown, result of such crops, was any 
