FIELD CROPS. 45 



potash and to an application of i)hosphoric acid alone, each used at the rate of 200 

 lbs. per acre. Vilmorin, KleinwanzleVjen and RiUker Dippe Elite produced beets 

 of early maturity and exceptional richness. The Rolker Dippe Elite grown without 

 fertilizer contained 19 per cent of sugar in the juice with a purity coefficient of !)2.9 

 per cent. 



The culture of beets on the experimental field at Grignon in 1900, ]*. P. 

 Deherain {Ann. Agron., 26 {1900), No. 12, pp. 593-603). — The work here reported 

 consisted of a test of 3 varieties of beets grown at different distances. Each variety 

 occupied fi different plats fertilized with barnyard manure at the rate of 40,000 lbs. per 

 hectare. A report on similar work has been previously given (E. S. R., 10, p. 8H9). 

 Meteorological data for the year, which was characterized by a dry summer, are 

 given. The results show that the variety Giant Rose gave a much better yield than 

 the Small Leaved Globe or the Giant White. The Giant Rose and the Giant White 

 varieties are known as demi-sucrieres, indicating that their sugar content is high but 

 not high enough for the manufacture of sugar. For Giant Rose the distance of 

 35 cm. in rows 40 cm. apart gave the best results. The author states, however, tliat 

 no definite conclusions as to distance can be drawn from this season's results. 



The conservation (drying) of beet tops {Deut. Landw. Presse, 27 {1900), No. 

 S6, x>p- 1059, 1060). — In a paper read by L. Wiistenhagen before the Agricultural 

 Society of Bernberg, the following phases of the subject were considered: Cleaning 

 the tops from dirt, small stones, etc.; decreasing the oxalic acid content of the 

 leaves; preserving the sugar content of the root crowns; cutting up the crowns and 

 tops to facilitate drying, and drying the same for storage. 



The method of handling the beets is as follows: The tops are gathered in small 

 heaps and left lying in the field for a week or so. Here the leaves wilt, thus losing 

 a part of their moisture content and at the same time part of the oxalic acid con- 

 tained in them. Whether the decrease in the oxalic acid content of the leaves is 

 due direct to oxidation or to the action of micro-organisms was not determined. The 

 tops are taken from the field to the factory, where they are put into a revolving sieve 

 cylinder and brought in contact with a blast of hot air. The dirt, sand, and stones 

 are largely removed by this process and the further decomposition of the oxalic acid 

 in the leaves hastened by contact with the hot air. The tops are then cut up and 

 the drying contiaued at a low^er temperature, in order not to decompose the sugar in 

 the root crowns, until only about 15 per cent of water remains. 



That the oxalic acid content of the leaves is greatly reduced by this drying is 

 shown by the analyses of the leaves before drying and of the finished product. In 

 one instance tho leaves before drying contained 2.93 per cent of oxalic acid; after- 

 ward, 0.6 per cent, and ihe average for a whole week for the dried product was only 

 0.3 per cent of oxalic acid. 



Examination of protiiberanceo on sugar beets, H. A. Hustox and A. H. 

 Bryan {Indiana Sta. Rpt. 1900, ] n. 7G, 79). — Comparative analyses are reported of 

 normally grown sugar beets and of beets which had one or more protuberances on 

 the upper portion of the roots, the protuberances and the beet proper having been 

 analyzed separately. All the samples were of the same variety. The results show 

 that the (quality of the beet is very seriously impaired by the presence of protuber- 

 ances. 



List of publications on sugar-beet culture published in 1900, II. Briem 

 (LV. Zuckcrruhenbaii, S {1901), No. ., pp. 55-.?5).— A bibliography of 149 publications 

 Vjearing directly upon the culture of the sugar beet. 



The beet-sugar industry in Michigan, 1900, C. D. Smith {MlchUjan lid. Agr. 

 Rpt. 1900, iqt. oS0-o91). — A paper discussing the relation of the manufacturer of 

 beet sugar to the farmer and laboring classes. 



The sunflower plant: it': cultivation, composition, and uses, II. W. Wiley 

 (U. »S'. Dept. Agr., Division of Chemittr!/ Bid. 60, pp. 31, pi. l,figs. ^).— This bulletin 

 treats of the botanical, agricultural, and commercial relations of the sunflower. 



