SUGAR BEETS. I73 



value, if it cannot be used as fodder first. It is also seen from the 

 tables that the greater the percentage of sugar, the greater is the 

 weight of leaves, and the greater the quantity of mineral matters 

 abstracted from the soil. The following table gives the propor- 

 tions which have been noticed to exist between the percentage of 

 sugar and the weight of the leaves :* 



Per cent, of Sugar in Roots. Weight of Loaves in 100 parts by weight of Beets. 



15.4 58 



15.2 63 



U.l 52 



14.7 62 



13.1 31 



13.8 26 



13.5 36 



13 4 25 



11.8 26 



The following table shows the comparison between the Vilraorin 

 sugar beet and others. 



Kind of Beet. Leaves for 100 parts of Roots. Per ct of Sugar in Beets. 



Vilmorin Improved, 56 ^ 14.5 



Simon Logrand, 38 ' 13.3 



Ordinary sugar beet of manf'rs, 20 11.8 



Special culture also has an influence upon the bearing of leaves 

 as well as the richness in sugar, as is shown by the following ex- 

 ample in which the same seeds were used : 



Roots Leaves. Per ct. Sugar. 



Ordinary sugar beet of manufac- 

 turers, (special culture,) 100 kilos. 52 kilos. 13.3 

 do. (ordinary culture,) 100 kilos. 28 kilos. 11.8 



After carefully comparing the amount of matter taken up by a 

 beet crop, it becomes evident that judicious manuring or restoring 

 the lost substances to the soil is of prime importance. This is 

 generally done by the use of special manures, in connection with 

 farmyard manure. Rotation of crops becomes a very useful ad- 

 junct in the cultivation of the beet, aiding, as it does, in fully 

 bringing out the mineral resources of the soil, and avoiding any 

 exhaustion thereof. 



In Prof. Goessmann's report we find that " Well manured an- 

 nual leaf crops for green feeding are considered the best crops to 

 precede the beet ; next in order follow well manured summer or 

 winter grain crops ; less recommended are perennial grasses and 

 other fodder crops ; directly objectionable are, if not specially 



* De la Betterave; p. 43. 



