384 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



B. — Tests illustrating the effects of different modes of preparing the soil for 

 the cultivation of the sugar-beet from the same variety of seed. The 

 seeds used in these trials were furnished from one and the same 

 package by the writer, and the beets were subsequently tested by him 

 (1872-73). 



Test No. 6 was carried on to illustrate the effect of the size 

 of beets upon their quality. " a " consisted of beets weighing 

 from a pound and a half to two pounds; and "6," of beets 

 weighing from ten to fourteen pounds each. Both were 

 raised under similar conditions, upon the same land. 



SELECTION OF VARIETIES. 



The successful cultivation of the sugar-beet begins with 

 the selection of seed-beets. Vilmorin's views on this subject 

 are considered of great weight : a detailed statement of his 

 rules may be found in the " Journal d'Agriculture Pratique," 

 No. 5, 1858. He advises the selection of healthy, well- 

 shaped beet-roots of from one and a half to two pounds' 

 weight. Those which, with a large yield, show the most rings 

 of leaf-marks, are preferred. The specific gravity of their 

 juice ought not to be less than 1.05 : those which contain a 

 juice of from 1.06 to 1.07 specific gravity are of superior 

 character. Some experienced beet-seed raisers test the fit- 

 ness of a beet-root, as previously described, by means of a 

 solution of common salt of from 8.5° to 9° Beaumd, specific 

 gravity, rejecting those roots for seed production which swim 

 upon the surface of the brine. Seed-beets ought not to be 

 taken from a soil which is used for the first time for the 

 cultivation of the sugar-beet. The amount of seeds obtained 



