to five germs, there should be not less than 150 sprouts from 100 

 balls. If, in addition, 80 per cent of the balls sprout, the seed can 

 be considered good from the standpoint of vitality. The best method 

 to pursue with relation to seed is to consult the nearest reliable source 

 of information, such as a factory or an experiment station which is 

 making germination tests. The standard test usually applied to 

 beet seed is the one called the Magdeburg test, which is as follows : 



1. The seed should not have in dirt or refuse over 3 per cent. 



2. The moisture of seed should be not to exceed 15 per cent. 



3. In five days 100 balls should produce not less than 100 

 sprouts. 



4. In seven days 100 balls should produce not less than 125 

 sprouts. 



5. In fourteen days 100 balls should produce not less than 150 

 sprouts. 



6. In fourteen days 1 pound of seed should produce not less 

 than 31,818 sprouts. 



7. In fourteen days not less than 80 per cent of the balls should 

 sprout. 



To a close observer in the beet fields the vitality of the seed as 

 shown by germination is an important factor. It is the first evi- 

 dence of the probable yield of the crop that the grower looks for. 

 Much depends upon the stand. It is desired that a beet shall fill 

 every place in the row provided for it. It is evident that if every 

 third beet is missing there will only be two-thirds of the plants ma- 

 tured at the harvest. If the rows are 18 inches apart and the beets 

 stand 8 inches apart in the row there will be 312 beets to the row 

 and 138 2-3 rows to the acre. If every beet is in its place there will 

 be 43,264 beets to the acre. If these beets average 1 pound there 

 will be 43,264 pounds to the acre, equal to 21.63 tons. If the beets 

 average 2 pounds, which is more nearly the usual size, there will be 

 43.26 tons per acre. This shows the highest possibility of tonnage 

 per acre when all conditions are favorable and there is a perfect stand. 

 Vitality of seed is a strong factor in reaching this ideal. 



The plants should start out strong, vigorous, and healthful. 

 They must send down their taproots vigorously and send out their 

 laterals quickly; this enables them to entrench themselves early in 

 the soil. Plants are like animals vigor in youth promises much 

 for healthful maturity. Strong vitality or germinating power of 

 the seed indicates this early vigor which will enable the plants to 

 withstand diseases, pests, and drought. The number of sprouting 

 germs in a given number of beet balls and the vigor and rapidity 

 of germination are the tests of this vitality. Home-grown seed in- 

 dicate a germinating power in a shorter time of 25 to 100 per cent 

 more than those selected from ordinary imported seed. (Mes. of 

 Pres. on B-S. Indus. 1903.) 



Planting and Germination. The soil being in just the right 

 condition and containing sufficient moisture to germinate the plant, 

 the seed should be sown with a beet seeder in rows which are 16 to 20 

 inches apart, the distance depending on local circumstances and 



