XVI INTRODUCTION. 



The author has made a study of the many varieties 

 of beet, all containing sugar in different proportions ; 

 those of high percentage being small in size, and most 

 desirable when sugar is the chief object. The large 

 will give greater satisfaction to the farmer when the 

 sugar is not of importance. There are other types, 

 however, which are a sort of compromise between the 

 sugar manufacturer and the farmer. The soils on 

 which they give the best results have also been men- 

 tioned, and an opinion has been advanced which does 

 not entirely correspond with those given by seed 

 growers representing interested parties, but rather 

 fi-om the author's experience in growing beets on vari- 

 ous soils in this country. This latter subject has been 

 well and carefully studied, and it is, he considers, 

 clearly demonstrated that the physical properties of a 

 soil are of more importance than the chemical, as these 

 last can readily be changed by a judicious selection 

 and use of fertilizers, while, on a soil having no subsoil, 

 the idea of producing the beet would be irrational. 

 A comparison of analyses of soils of France and other 

 parts of Europe has for this country been considered 

 of interest. 



The general examination of the beet has been done 

 with equal care ; and the i^ossibility of ascertaining 

 the quality of the root by its exterior signs, as well as 

 the various opinions of chemists as to the locality of 

 the sugar in the root, and the manner in which it is 

 formed, has been given. The tillage of the soil being 

 effected in a manner somewhat different from what 



