REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 183 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Nova Scotia. Xappan. — The be<?t3 of this farrp are perceptibly of lower qualit/ 

 than those of last year. This is noticeable in the sugar content, but more particularly 

 so in purity. The average percentage of sugar in the three varieties tested, for 1903, 

 was 15"33, with a co-efficient of purity of 81'3 ; for the present season, the averages * 

 lire 1 1*41 and 75*8, resi)ectively. 



It will be observed that as regards both sugar content and purity, Vilmorin's Im- 

 proved is the best. Klein Wanzleben and Tres Riche give results practically identical 

 and are,somewhat less valuable for factory purposes. 



Ontario, Ottawa. — Both as regards sugar content and purity, the results are con- 

 siderably in advance of those of 1903, due, undoubtedly, to the more favourable 

 character of the past season. They indicate a beet in all respects eminently suitable for 

 sugar extraction. 



The following data will allow a comparison of these varieties for the past three 

 years, as grown on the Experimental Farm, Ottawa. 



Vilmorin's Improved — 



1902 



1903 



1901 



Klein Wanzleben — 



1902 



1903 



1901 



Tres Riche (French 'Very Eich')— 



1902. 



1903 



1901 



The results not only indicate the high character of these varieties for factory 

 purposes, but furnish an excellent illustration of the effect of the season upon the 

 sugar content of the beet. In 1903, it will be noticed, there was a considerable falling 

 off in the percentage of sugar, compared with the results of 1902 and 1901. This was 

 due, no doubt, to the exceptional climatic conditions that prevailed that season (1903), 

 a protracted drought in the spring followed by heavy and continuous rains in the 

 nutumn. These rains induced a second growth of the root at a time when the storin? 

 up of sugar more particularly takes place and for which, if the sugar content is to be 

 satisfactory, warm, dry weather is essential, 



Maniiohix, Brandon. — For several years past sugar beets from Manitoba, as grown 

 at Brandon and in the neighbourhood of Winnipeg, have been analysed, but we have 

 never before been able to report — save in what might be called one or two exceptional 

 cases — very favourably. Thus in 1903, Vilmorin's Improved gave only 11"36 per cent 

 sugar in juice and 73*7 co-efficient of purity. Eefcrence to the foregoing table, how- 

 ever, shov/s the beets as grown on the Experimental Farm. Brandon, this year to be 

 of excellent quality. Mr. Bedford, the superintendent, on being informed of the results, 

 v. rites : 'I was not aware that the season had been particularly favourable to a high 

 sugar content, but nearly all field roots with us have given above an average yield.' 



North-wp.si Territories, Indian Head. — In all three varieties a very satisfactory 

 sugar content was obtained. The percentages of sugar are slightly lower than those for 

 1903, but are sufficiently high for factory purposes. 



Britisli Columlia, Agassiz. — The two varieties received this year from the Experi- 

 mental Farm at Agassiz, Vilmorin's Improved and Tres Eiche, were very poor in 



