72 



CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



The form of the beet seeins also to be an important feature in the con- 

 sideration of the proportion of sugar to be obtained, and Champion and 

 Pellet further state,* concerning beets of good quality, " their form is 

 elongated and tapering." This admits of more thorough penetration of 

 the root in the soil, more complete contact with the nutritive elements, 

 moisture, &c, insures the plant against variations of existing conditions, 

 and consequently a healthier state, from which must naturally follow a 

 better quality. 



Corenwinder and Contamine t find that there is a relation between the 

 size of the leaves and the richness of the roots; that roots which bear 

 leaves of broad surface are generally more rich in sugar than those hav- 

 ing small leaves upon a contracted top, and these facts are confirmed by 

 analyses of subjects taken from the same field. At the same time De- 

 herain concludes from his researches! that the weight of leaves of small 

 beets is relatively greater than is produced by larger ones. The rela- 

 tions found are as follows : 



Variety of beets. 



Pink top O 



Pink top Enterre 

 Improved 1,093 . . 

 Improved 927 



Weight of 

 leaves. 



Grams. 

 281 

 375 

 531 

 531 



Weight of 

 roots. 



Grams. 

 1,303 

 984 

 803 



787 



Sugar in 100 

 of juice. 



9.94 

 10.18 

 14.42 

 14.78 



In connection with this relation between the size and richness of the 

 sugar beet and the number and weight of leaves they bear Champion 

 and Pellet § give the following figures: 



Variety of beets. 



Improved Vilmorin 



Simon Legrand (choice) 

 Ordinary of sugar factories 



Pounds of leaves 

 per 100 of roots. 



Percent, of sugar 

 in beet. 



14.5 

 13.3 

 11.8 



Beets produced in 8j)ecial cultures. 



Variety. 



Ordinary seed, special culture . - 

 Ordinary seed, ordinary culture 



Boots. 



Pounds: 

 100 

 100 



Leaves. 



Pounds. 

 52 

 28 



Per cent, of 

 sugar. 



13.2 

 11.8 



* La Bettrave a Suci-e. 

 t lb., t. Ill, 98. 



t Annates Agronamiques, t. IV, 380. 

 § La Bettrave a Sucre. 



