5.1 This practice is primarily used in the horticulture industry to collect a representative sample of processed peat materials. The representative sample can then be used for further testing including, but not limited to, the determination of moisture, ash, and organic matter; volume; pH;, moisture-holding capacity, and air capacity of water-saturated peat materials; total nitrogen; particle size distribution; and sand content of processed peat materials.

Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 This practice covers the procedure for obtaining a representative sample of processed peat material from compressed bales or bulk loose material sources. This procedure is applicable for sampling peat materials for horticultural purposes and produces a sample that is representative of peat materials that may be heterogeneous in nature. Producing a representative sample of a material is central to the validity of the results for any testing or analytical procedure which can be used to verify the grade of peat.

1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.3 All observed and calculated values shall confirm to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.

1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word ”Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved though the ASTM consensus process.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.