When, early in 1890, the writer first proposed the composite sample— or as it is now generally called, improperly, the “composite test” — as a means of rendering practicable the “value plan” at creameries, he was particular to emphasize, by repetition, the statement that to insure accuracy “the daily samples must be, for each patron, proportionate in amount to his daily deliveries” (Bulletin No. 9). Without this precantion it is evident that the composite may fail of being what it is intended, namely, a miniature of the entire delivery of the patron for the period.

In the directions for carrying out the plan (same Bulletin) it was suggested that a convenient size for daily samples would be, in most cases, one-tenth as many cubic centimeters as the number of pounds in the delivery; and it was proposed to measure the samples in a graduated cylinder. This, the reader must bear in mind, was in the very infancy of the value system; we have now a much easier way of taking proportionate samples, which will be mentioned further on.