XX INTRODUCTION. 



or disadvantages of activating the germinating prin- 

 ciples with chemicals, the anthor has bestowed great 

 pains, as well as to the sowing and the time, which 

 have a considerable influence. Mechanical sowing 

 seems of late to be much preferred, as greater regu- 

 larity can be obtained. 'No special machine is given, 

 for reasons mentioned above. 



The importance of planting the roots in close prox- 

 imity has been clearly shown, to this the author has 

 added many other arguments, as to the advantage of 

 the beet being grown on the angle of a rectangle or a 

 lozenge, and finally the various operations which follow 

 the sowing are given. For many ^^ears jDast it has been 

 clearly proven that with proper selection the roots can 

 be greatly improved, and most remarkable results have 

 been obtained. There is no reason why similar improve- 

 ments should not be made on our American soils. The 

 possibility of growing a seed which will become accli- 

 mated, is an important consideration, and the knowledge 

 of the manner in which the mother roots are planted in 

 the soil, and the resulting seed harvested, renders the 

 problem most easy. Besides these principles, the 

 author has explained the importance of a correct rota- 

 tion of crops, which is most beneficial to the growth 

 of the plant, and renders the possibility of exhausting 

 the soil far less probable. A rotation that gives satis- 

 faction on one soil may not on another, the principles 

 being the same in all cases ; great advantage will be 

 derived for the crop immediately following the beet, as 

 the soil is in a most excellent condition for its recep- 



