404 Bulletin 182. 



Dippe Bros., Germany. The highest per cent of sugar in the beets, 

 16.77, was found in the Zehringen Elite from seed grown by Strandes, 

 Germany, and the highest per cent purity, 86.1, was also found in 

 the Zehringen Elite from seed grown by Strandes. 



In selecting the sample beets to be tested those were selected 

 which seemed to represent fairly the beets grown on the plat. The 

 size of tlie beets analyzed seems not to have aifected the results. 

 The smallest beets, those gi-own on the east one-half of plat 22 were 

 the lowest in purity. The variety tests in no way prove anything. 

 The conditions of the soil may have had more effect upon the yield 

 than did the variety grown. The Zehringen Elite strains seemed to 

 be better adapted to the soil and conditions present during 1899 

 than were the other varieties. Another season and on other soil the 

 results might vary widely. 



Fertilize?^ experiments with sugar heets. — During the years 1897, 

 1898 and 1899 fertilizer experiments with sugar beets have been 

 conducted upon some specially prepared plats. Before commencing 

 this experiment it was determined to make the soil conditions uni- 

 form as to quality and treatment. In the spring of 1897 a space 

 was measured off for 14 plats each 4x5 feet in size. The soil of this 

 whole area was then removed to a depth of 24 inches, each layer of 

 eight inches being thrown upon boards by itself. A solid brick 

 cement wall was constructed around each plat and to a depth of two 

 feet below the surface of the ground. This wall was constructed so 

 that there would be no possible chance for the beets in one plat to 

 receive the benefit of the fertilizer applied to any other plat. After 

 the construction of the wall the soil which had been removed was 

 replaced in the inverse order of its removal, the eight inches removed 

 last was returned first, so that it would occupy its original place at 

 the bottom. Before being returned each eight inches of soil was 

 thoroughly mixed and then an equal number of pounds was put 

 into each plat and packed. In this way all the plats were prepared, 

 each layer of soil after being thoroughly mixed was returned to its 

 original position. 



During the years 1897, 1898 and 1899 the same experiment has 

 been repeated, the various plats receiving each year the same kind 

 of fertilizer received the previous year. 



