20 THE SEED-GROWER. 



as far as possible by the aid of the foliage, pulling up 

 and destroying all plants which are not true to type. 

 The dark-red varieties possess dark-red leaves; the pink 

 sorts pale-red or mixed red and green leaves; the 

 white-fleshed kinds, pale-green leaves. And before 

 storing for winter, complete the roguing by sorting the 

 roots carefully, throwing out all which show the least 

 impurity as to type; to ascertain color of flesh, cut the 

 root slightly with a knife and lift a small portion of the 

 skin. 



European Method of Production. In Europe 

 for production of beet seed on a large scale, more 

 especially of Sugar beet, crops are usually grown from 

 small roots which measure j- inch to 1J inches in 

 diameter. 



Seed so produced gives the very best results, and 

 there is an economical advantage in it by the sav- 

 ing that is obtained, not only in the area necessary 

 for the production of a great quantity of roots to 

 plant large acreages for seeds, but in the lesser room 

 that is also secured in silos or pits for wintering over 

 small roots weighing but a few ounces, as compared 

 with the space that would be required for large roots 

 weighing several pounds or more. Moreover, the 

 small roots which are obtained by the special method 

 applied for their production, ripen earlier and become 

 hardened before frost, so that they keep better over 

 winter than do full-grown roots. One acre of small 

 roots will be sufficient to plant ten acres for commercial 

 seed. 



Seed used for production of small roots is carefully 

 saved in the usual manner from full-grown roots which 

 were true to variety. It is sown in spring, very thinly, 

 in broad rows, 12 to 18 inches apart, at the rate of 20 



