The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-12-07
Clemson Extension Work-ArticIe XVI.

In reply to criticisms that we some
times hear, that Clemson College will not
analyze samples Of fertilizers unless we
first know who manufactured them and
what they claimed to contain, 1 wish tc
make the following explanation OF just
how these samples are drawn and passed
through the Office to the chemists who
analyze them, and which will show such
criticisms are unjust and without any
foundation, In fact.
The laws on this subject recognize and
provide for only two classes Of these sam
pies, LIST: official samples drawn by in.
spectors sent out for that purpose, and
and: Farmers OF purchasers samples, sent
to the College by the farmer or purchaser
when drawn In accordance with laws gov
erning this subject.
Section 1880 Of Statutes of this State
requires the Trustees of Clemson College
to send their Official Inspectors to get
samples Of all commercial fertilizers they
lind sold, or offered for sale, and send
these samples to the College for analysis.
For this purpose the State is divided into
twelve divisions, regard being had to
railroad factories and volume Of fertilizer
trade. To each Of these districts an in
,spector Is sent, instructed to go often to
every depot and cross roads where com
mercial fertilizers are sold or delivered
and draw samples from each brand. The
sample must be taken from at least one
tenth Of the lot for instance, If 100 sacks
In lot, he must draw from at least ten; II
30 sacks, then from five; If less than ten
from all. These several portions as
drawn are placed on a paper or clean
board, and after being carefully mixed, 8
sample bottle of 2 ounce is filled. This
bottle Is sealed by placing melted wax on
the cork, upon which while still warm, Is
impressed a metallic seal which would
show any tampering with the sample. On
this bottle Is glued a label giving, the
number, the Inspectors name, and the
date Of the drawing. The inspector now
writes on a sheet Of paper the same mum
Der as that on the label and an exact copy
Or description Of every brand or mark
found on the sack or package, which must
contain the manufacturers name anc
address, the weight and the guaranteed
analysis. ALI this has been done in the
presence Of a witness who upites with the
inspector In an affidavit that this was 8
fair and representative sample Of the lot
bered before the signing. This paper
containing the description Is then wrap.
ped about the sample bottle and expressed
to this Office. The descriptive paper is
here carefully. pasted in large invoice
book kept for the purpose, and the sample
assent by number only to the chemist
Suppose the number Of the sample was
$50. We send sample No. $50 to the chem
list with instructions to hunt for the three
Ingredients, and with positively no other
marks to indicate who made it or what il
contained. After its analysis is made.
copy of same Is sent me by the chemist
This is pasted carefully by the side of the
inspectors description, and both are pub
liShed In a bulletin. Until then, positive
ly, the chemists no more know who made
the fertilizer, or what it contained, than
a Government mule. I alone have the
information, which I am obliged to have.
or I could not later publish it for the bene-
fit Of the farmers who buy fertilizers,
Can any better method be devised for in
surfing both to buyer and seller absolute
fairness and accuracy, both in the drawing
and analysing of these official samples?
(The taking Of farmers samples will be
treated Of next week.