94 THE SUGAR BEET. 



larger amount of cinders and less nitric elements than 

 those of a low percentage. 



Beets which have been grown on a calcareous soil, 

 when of a high saccharine percentage, have small 

 leaves. This is contrary to the principles stated above, 

 and we are quite unable to explain its phenomena. If 

 this had not been the case we might have suggested a 

 new idea for the selection of the mothers^ for seed cul- 

 ture, it being then sufficient to have a few leaves ana- 

 lyzed, and, when fulfilling the above condition, should 

 be chosen. Too much cannot be said regarding the 

 care that should be given in weeding, etc., as the 

 slightest injury will influence the final results, and it 

 requires but Utile to greatly retard the formation of 

 the sugar; for example, the weather if rainy, windy, 

 etc., might desti'oy all the leaves, but this would not 

 prevent the roots from increasing in size, but the sugar 

 contained therein would be small. 



The temptation for the farmers to make a partial 

 stripping of the leaves^ from the root is great, and the 

 harm thus done is very considerable, and varies with 

 the age of these leaves. Evidently, when well advanced, 

 they have nearly completed their duties, and, for that 

 reason, it will not be as serious as it would otherwise 

 have been. We cannot indorse the stripping of the 

 leaves under any pretence, as the value of the meat 

 resulting is not as great as the good that would have 



' See "Culture of Seed." 



* See " Feeding Qualities of the Leaves." 



