BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 341 



Sugar-beet seed growing and distribution. — The commercial pro- 

 duction of American-grov n sugar-beet seed at Fairfield, Wash., by 

 the breeding of pedigreed strains from individual analyzed mother 

 beets has continued to receive attention. Comparative tests of varie- 

 ties of sugar beets from European-grown seed were also continued 

 in cooperation with State experiment stations, sugar-beet factories, 

 and cooperative growers in different sections of the country. 



Plans for the next seed distribution. — The seeds to be distrib- 

 uted the coming j^ear will be practically the same in kind and 

 quantity as last year, unless there should be a serious shortage in the 

 seed crop and the price should advance sufficiently to make it neces- 

 sary to reduce the quantity. Great care will be exercised to obtain 

 only the best seeds the market affords, and all purchases will be made 

 subject to rigid tests for purity and germination. Owing to the 

 heavy demand for seed this spring and the depleted stocks of seed 

 in warehouses, a larger percentage of the seed will be grown under 

 contract than formerly. 



