VARIETIES OF THE BEET. 



71 



1860. Efforts had been made to obtain a large per- 

 centage of sugar without considering the resulting 

 shape, which was irregular, and the neck large, and a 



Fig. 5. 



Fia-. 6. 



Variety so-called "Collet Gres." Variety called Improved Vilmorin. 



great number of small roots grew on its exterior sur- 

 face ; under these conditions the harvesting was almost 

 impossible. It had an average of 15 per cent, of sugar, 

 and gave a yield to the hectare (two and a half acres) 

 of 20,000 kilog, (44,000 lbs.). In 1870 another type 

 was brought to notice, which was the same root much 

 improved both in shape and quality. These gave 15 

 to 18 per cent, of sugar, and a yield of 40,000 kilog. 

 (88,000 lbs.) to the hectare (two and a half acres). It 

 has been found that it is impossible to much surpass 



