86 



THE SUGAR BEET. 



lower. The sugar increases from top to. bottom.^ In 

 the distribution according to Payen this is also appa- 

 rent, the extremity being mainly composed of cells 

 having a large amount of saccharine elements in their 

 interior. We have made several sections in the root, 

 which demonstrate this : — 



(On the other hand, Dubrunfaut would attribute the 

 difference in the saccharine percentage to an osmotic 

 effect, and thereby explain why a small root should 

 have more sugar than a large one. The argument is 

 that the vascular tissue is in connection with the 

 leaves and adhesive roots, thus absorbing the saccha- 

 rine and saline principles. The sugar will pass into 

 the cellular tissue by the principle of osmose, and the 

 proportion existing here between the chemical compo- 

 sition of these tissues no longer exists in large roots.) 



' According to Chamjiignon and Pellet — 



Analysis neajt 

 the ueck. 

 Water. . . . • 86.64 



Sugar . , 



Cinders 



Orijanic substance 



7.30 

 1.02 

 5 04 



6.06 



Analysis at the 



extremity of root. 



84.48 



9.70 



1.26 



4.56 



5 82 



100.00 



100.00 



