26 The Sugar-Beet in America 



small differences in sugar-content cannot be distinguished 

 by an anatomical examination, there is a rather definite 

 correlation between structure of the beet and sugar-con- 

 tent. 



HOW THE PLANT FEEDS AND GROWS 



The development of the plant from a tiny germ through 

 the various stages to maturity is an interesting and 

 complex process. When the seed is planted, it absorbs 

 moisture and swells. Part of the starch stored in the seed 

 is changed into sugar by the action of enzymes, and the 

 cells composing the germ enlarge and di\4de till the germ 

 becomes a seedling. At first the germ must depend en- 

 tirely on the food stored in the seed, but a few days after 

 germination the rootlets penetrate into the soil and leaves 

 appear above ground. The plant is now ready to begin 

 gathering and making its own food. 



The feeding of the plant goes on in two distinct pro- 

 cesses : the gathering of soluble salts and water from the 

 soil and the taking of carbon from the air through the 

 leaves. After these two kinds of raw materials are 

 gathered, the plant in the wonderful laboratory' of its 

 own cells produces all the compounds necessary to its 

 life and to the performance of its very complex functions. 



From the soil the plant absorbs various materials that 

 are dissolved in the soil solution. The materials like 

 nitrogen that are used extensively by the plant are ab- 

 sorbed in much larger quantities than such unnecessary 

 elements as sodium. These materials must be dissolved 

 before they can be taken up by the plant. The root- 

 hairs, which are minute, single-cell extensions of the root 



