530 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Variety tests and storage experiments with fodder beets, B. Sjollema 

 and C. K. Van Daalkn ( IVr.s/ar/. Landhouick. Oiulcrzock. Rijkfilandbouiv- 

 procffitat [Netherlands}, 1907, No. 2, pp. 31-51). — The largest yields of dry 

 matter and sugar were produced by Mammoth, followed by " Jaapjes." These 

 two varieties have repeatedly given the best yields in experiments conducted in 

 different provinces of Holland. The yield of beets, as well as the average sugar 

 content and sugar yield, were greater when the beets were planted 40 by 50 cm. 

 than when planted 50 by 50 cm. apart. 



The siloed beets lost about 2 ])er cent in weight from October to .January and 

 less than 1 per cent from January to April. Inversion of the cane sugar in the 

 beets rich in sugar progressed very slowly during the first 2 months, while in 

 the individuals low in sugar about li per cent of invert sugar was formed. In 

 the varieties lowest in sugar the invert sugar content in April had reached 

 from 2 to 3 per cent, while in some of the richer varieties it was lower than 1 

 per cent. The " Jaapjes " beets showed the best keeping qualities. 



Storage experiments with fodder beets, 1904-1907 (Tidsskr. Landhr. 

 Phnitrarh IJf (1907), pp. 571-5S.'i). — The loss in weight and in dry matter 

 of fodder beets kept through winter under different storage conditions was deter- 

 mined. The largest loss occurred in root cellars during March and April, the 

 loss in dry matter being 1.77 per cent as comiiared with 0.65 per cent during 

 November and December. Large roots lost less than small roots, the average 

 loss in the large roots being 0.57 lb. dry matter per 100 lbs. of beets. The 

 dry matter content of large roots decreased from 11.2 in the fall to 9.7 per cent 

 in the spring, while the dry matter in the small roots was reduced from 13.6 

 per cent to 11.2 per cent during the same time. 



Is it advisable to remove the leaves of mother beets when placing them 

 in the silo? H. BRir:M (Ccntbl. Zuckcnndus.. 16 (1908), No. 30, p. S//0).— The 

 results presented in this article lead the author to recommend that mother 

 beets be siloed with all their leaves. It is suggested that such beets be as dry 

 as possible and be siloed above ground, the silo remaining open as long as 

 advisable. It is stated that such silos should not be over 50 cm. (about 20 in.) 

 high and a width of 1 meter is considered best. The author also recommends 

 that the entire beet be left to wilt for several days before being put in storage. 



Dry matter and sugar content of the beet and their importance in breed- 

 ing, H. Plahn (Centhl. Zuckerindus., 16 (1908), Nos. 23, pp. 6.'/0, 6-',l; 2',, pp. 

 670-672). — The results of the investigations here reported showed that the dry 

 matter and sugar content of fodder beets were not in exact correlation with 

 each other. A comparison of these two factors without knowing this fact 

 would lead to overlooking the amount of invert sugar formed during the time 

 of storage. The dry matter content for this rea.son is not considered one of 

 the principal factors in mother beet selection, and it is suggested that the basis 

 of seed beet selection should be the results of polarization because the nutritive 

 value of the fodder beet is mainly determined by its sugar content. It is 

 recommended that the examination of individual beets be made in the spring, 

 as at that season the keeping qualities of the beet are also shown. 



Studies on seed formation in clover and alfalfa, H. L. Bolley {North 

 Dakota Hta. Rpt. 1907, pt. 1, pp. 80, 8/).— White clover, alfalfa, and red clover 

 plants were grown under screens to determine whether bumblebees were needed 

 in the fertilization of clover for the production of seed. It was observed with 

 regard to white and red clover that when grown under screens with 12 or 6 

 meshes to the inch practically no seeds were formed. Screens with -t in. and 

 J in. meshes, so far as known, proved sufficient to exclude bumblebees, but 

 while there were a great number of unfertilized beads under these screens 

 there were also heads which were well filled. " The work with the larger 



