ROOT C'ROI'S 277 



neck contains less sugar and more undesirable compounds, such 

 as nitrates, than the rest of the "root." The neck should be 

 single, since when multiple the extra small shoots grow largely 

 at the expense of the food already stored. The shoulders should 

 not be too flat or concave on top, as this is apt to cause decay. 



The primary root appears as a continuation of the stem 

 (hypocotyl), and should terminate in a single small tap root. 

 Secondary prongs or forks increase the cost of harvesting, hold 

 the soil and indicate coarseness. There are two depressions 

 opposite each other running lengthwise, but slightly tangential 

 to the root, known as dimples, from which the lateral roots 

 arise. These should be shallow and as nearly vertical as may 

 be. The lateral roots should be fine and abundant, and their 

 origin confined to the dimples, since when they spring promis- 

 cuously from the surface the root is more difficult to dig, and 

 more soil clings to it. The fibrous root system is extensive. In 

 some cases drains four feet below the surface have been 

 blocked by them. 



A transverse section of a beet shows a series of (five to 

 seven) concentric rings of firm tissue alternating with rings of 

 softer tissue. The firm or vascular tissue is said to be higher in 

 dry matter and richer in sugar than the intermediate tissue, and 

 the claim is made that the richest roots are those in which 

 these vascular rings are packed closely together. There appears 

 to be no correlation between color of flesh and sugar contents or 

 the feeding value, but roots of white color are preferred for 

 sugar beets on account of other colors interfering with the 

 manufacturing processes. 



346. Comparison Between Sugar Beets and Mangel-wurzels. 

 Sugar beets differ from mangels in color, form, size, depth and 

 vigor of growth, in ease of harvesting, in total yield of fresh 

 roots, in the percentage and the ratio of sugar to dry matter, 

 and in keeping qualities. The skin of the sugar beet is white 

 and the typical form is shown in this paragraph. In mangel- 



