The Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations 1993

Methods of Use

14.  The methods of using these instruments shall be as follows:

(a) Riffle Divider

a.The divider shall be placed on a firm level surface.

b.The divider and pans shall be clean.

c. Sample Mixing

An empty pan shall be placed on each side of the divider to receive the discharge from the chutes.

d.The entire composite sample shall be poured evenly into the other pan(s).

e.The seed shall then be poured from the pan(s) evenly along the entire length of the hopper.

f.The two pans into which the seed has passed shall then be replaced with empty pans.

g.Procedures e. and f. shall then be repeated twice to mix the sample thoroughly.

h. Sample Reduction

Before reduction, the composite sample shall have been thoroughly mixed using procedures c.–g. The contents of one of the two receiving pans shall then be set aside. If the seed in the second pan is of at least the minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample of a particular kind of seed, it may be used as the submitted sample. If the weight of seed in the second pan is greater than the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, it may be reduced using the following procedures (i.–k.).

i.An empty pan shall be placed on each side of the divider to receive the discharge from the chutes.

j.The contents of the second pan shall be poured evenly along the entire length of the hopper.

k.The contents of one of the two pans into which the seed has passed shall then be set aside. If the weight of seed in the other pan is still greater than the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for the submitted sample, it may be submitted intact or it may be reduced further using procedures i.–k.

l.If the weight of seed in either of the two pans at either h. or k. is less than the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, the following procedures (m.–g.) shall be used.

m.An empty pan shall be placed on each side of the divider to receive the discharge from the chutes.

n.The contents of one of the pans shall be set aside. The contents of the other pan shall be poured evenly along the entire length of the hopper.

o.One receiving pan and its contents shall then be removed and replaced with an empty pan. The other pan, with its contents, shall be left in place.

p.The contents of the pan removed at o. shall be poured evenly along the entire length of the hopper so that two subsamples of different weight shall be produced.

q.Procedures o. and p. above, when repeated, constitute the process of continuous halving, and shall be repeated using whichever subsample is appropriate until sufficient seed is obtained in one pan, which when added to the seed set aside at n. produces a submitted sample of at least the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below.

r. Obtaining more than one submitted sample

Two submitted samples shall be obtained from a composite sample by first obtaining a sample of at least twice the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, using procedures c.–g., and h.–q. as appropriate, and then dividing it into two parts by passing it once through the divider.

s.When three submitted samples are required from one composite sample, one sample of at least the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, shall be extracted using procedures c.–g. and h.–q. as appropriate. All portions of seed which have been set aside shall then be recombined and the residue of the composite sample so obtained shall be subject to the procedure at r. above.

(b) Centrifugal Divider

a.The divider shall be levelled prior to use.

b.The divider and pans shall be clean.

c. Sample Mixing

An empty pan shall be placed under each spout of the divider.

d.The entire composite sample shall be poured into the centre of the hopper.

e.The motor shall be operated so that the seed passes into the pans.

f.The motor shall be switched off.

g.The two pans containing seed shall be removed and replaced by empty ones.

h.The contents of both pans removed at g. shall be poured together into the centre of the hopper, the seed being allowed to blend as it flows in. Procedures e., f. and g. shall be repeated.

i.Procedure h. shall be repeated to mix the sample thoroughly.

j. Sample Reduction

Before reduction, the composite sample shall have been thoroughly mixed using procedures c.–i. The contents of one of the two receiving pans shall then be set aside. If the seed in the second pan is of least the minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample of a particular kind of seed, it may be used as the submitted sample. If the weight of seed in the second pan is greater than the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below or a submitted sample, it may be reduced using the following procedures (k.–m.).

k.Empty pans shall be placed under the spouts.

l.The contents of the second pan shall be poured into the hopper and procedures e. and f. shall be repeated.

m.The contents of one of two pans into which the seed has passed shall then be set aside. If the weight of seed in the other pan is still greater than the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, it may be submitted intact or it may be reduced further using procedures k.–m.

n.If the weight of seed in either of the two pans at either j. or m. is less than the appropriate minimum weight prescribed for a submitted sample in Part II below, the following procedures (o.–s.) shall be used.

o.Empty pans shall be placed under the spouts.

p.The contents of one of the pans shall be set aside. The contents of the other pan shall be poured into the centre of the hopper and procedures e. and f. shall be repeated.

q.One receiving pan and its contents shall then be removed and replaced with an empty pan. The other pan, with its contents, shall be left in place.

r.The contents of the pan removed at q. shall be poured into the centre of the hopper and procedures e. and f. shall be repeated so that two subsamples of different weight shall be produced.

s.Procedures q. and r. above, when repeated, constitute the process of continuous halving, and shall be repeated using whichever subsample is appropriate until sufficient seed is obtained in one pan, which when added to the seed set aside at p., produces a submitted sample of at least the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below.

t. Obtaining more than one submitted sample

Two submitted samples shall be obtained from a composite sample by first obtaining a sample of at least twice the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, using procedures c.–i., and j.–s. as appropriate, and then dividing it into two parts by passing it once through the divider.

u.When three submitted samples are required from one composite sample, one sample, of at least the appropriate minimum weight prescribed in Part II below for a submitted sample, shall be extracted using procedures c.–i., and j.–s. as appropriate. All portions of seed which have been set aside shall then be recombined and the residue of the composite sample so obtained shall be subject to procedure t. above.