DIVISTOX OF CIIEVT8TRY 



239 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



poor varieties, the sugar content is very satisfactory as compared with that of past 

 years. The data for average weight of one root and yield are those of a normal crop 

 and indicate a season suitable to the growth of a well-developed but not too large a 

 root, that was well matured before harvesting. 



INFLUENCE OF HEREDITY EST MANGELS. 



In this inquiry commenced in 1900, two well-known mangels, Gate Post and 

 Giant Yellow Globe have been used, and the results of the thirteen seasons form an 

 exceedingly interesting series for comparing the relative value of these varieties. 

 Reference has been made to the fact that large differences in com- 

 position exist among the varieties of mangels, and to the further fact 

 that the varieties fell generally into the same order, season by season, when con- 

 sidering their dry-matter-content, indicating that quality might be inherited and to a 

 certain degree independent of seasonal influences. To obtain specific data on this 

 point, which would mean that a certain character as regards composition is trans- 

 mitted, the two varieties mentioned above were chosen, as these, from a preliminary 

 analysis, seemed to be typical of the richer and poorer classes of mangels. They have 

 been grown side by side, year by year, on the same soil and with the same culture — 

 and, therefore, necessarily under the same climatic conditions. Differences in com- 

 position, as well as in other matters, must, under such circumstances, be very largely 

 due to inherited qualities. The data for the thirteen seasons are as follows : — 



Dry Matter and Sugar in Gate Post and Giant Yellow Globe Mangels. 



It is significant that the Gate Post has always proved the superior root, though 

 the differences between the two varieties have not been constant. Considering the 

 averages for the experimental period, we learn that the Gate Post would contain 

 about 22 per cent more dry matter and almost 35 per cent more sugar, than the 

 Giant Yellow Globe. This denotes a very considerable difference in feeding value. 



It has long been recognized that conditions of soil, culture and season may 

 markedly affect the size and quality of root, but it would seem from this work that 



