Perhaps the best known sample splitting method is the classical cone and quarter technique, This
technique involves pouring the sample into a cone, flattening the cone, dividing the flattened cone into four
equal divisions (quartering), and then removing 2 opposite quarters (Fig. 4). The remaining two quarters are
repiled into a cone and the process is repeated until the desired sample size is obtained. Variations on the
process are possible which can enhance the speed of sample size reduction by using just one quarter
(chosen at random) to continue the splitting process or which allow this method to be modified to homogenize
a large sample. The use of the cone and quarter method to homogenize a sample involves the removal of the
first quarter and repiling it into a cone followed by the subsequent repiling of the opposite quarter and then
the remaining two quarters to reform a single cone (Raab et al., 1990). This process is repeated several times
until sample homogeneity is achieved.