AMERICAN BEET SUGAR. 23 



of the farmer; all because he tried to save a paltry two or three cents per pound 

 on his seed by buying from a general seedsman rather than paying the factory for 

 the scientifically produced seed. In fact, most factories stipulate that they will 

 only receive beets grown from seed furnished by them. The method of produc- 

 tion of sugar beet seed is of absorbing interest. It is a good illustration of the 

 survival of the fittest from a scientific test. The two varieties which have been 

 most widely grown in this country are the "Vilmorin Amelioree" and the "Klein 

 Wanzlebener." The certainty that the seed has been grown according to the most 

 scientific methods is of greater importance to the beet grower than the variety. 

 The beet has reached such a high state of perfection as to make the least degree 

 of laxity in its treatment exceedingly dangerous to its qualities. 



The sugar beet of to-day is the most aristocratic vegetable on earth. From the 

 most humble origin, the " Beta Vulgaris," through the most careful and scientific 

 selection of the mother beets, has become the highest type of food plants known 

 to man. The extreme care exercised in the production of sugar beet seed in 

 Europe is briefly described as follows : 



How BEET SEED is GROWN IN EUROPE. Assuming for the start seed of 

 the highest attainable quality. This is planted in the spring in the usual manner 

 and the crop cared for in all respects as a good beet farmer would handle a crop 

 for the factory. In the fall, at the time of harvest, the beets are carefully exam- 

 ined as to their physical characteristics of form, color, size, shape, condition of 

 leaves, and method of growth. Those coming up to a standard previously fixed 

 upon are reserved for seed, whilst all others go to the factory. This selection 

 usually reserves from one- sixth to one-eighth of the crop as mother beets for the 

 next season. In the early spring of the second year, these mother beets are 

 taken from the silo and subjected to a chemical analysis, for the purpose of secur- 

 ing, for planting, only those of high sugar content and purity. 



The analytical process, in brief, consists in taking a small sample from each 

 individual beet in such a manner as fairly to represent the whole beet, this does 

 not in any way injure the root for planting. The juice is then expressed from 

 the sample and polarized. In this way, all of the beets reserved the previous fall 

 are divided into three classes, viz : first, those that fall below a certain minimum 

 per cent, of sugar, say 16 per cent, go to the feed stable ; second, those that in 

 sugar content run between 16 per cent, and 18 per cent, will be planted as seed- 

 producing or mother beets ; third, those that run above 18 per cent, in sugar will 

 be planted for seed to keep up the stock. 



For convenience, we will call these classes I, II and III, and confine our at- 

 tention to class II. When this chemical selection has finally been made, the beets 

 in class II are planted. In the autumn the seed stalks are cut, the seed thrashed 

 out, cleaned, and put away for the winter. In the following spring the third 

 from the start this seed is planted, but in a manner a little different from the 

 ordinary, inasmuch as the rows are closer together and the beets are thinned to a 

 distance of from three to four inches, the object being to produce a very small and 

 rich beet. The usual summer care is given, and in the autumn these very small 

 beets are harvested ; another selection on the basis of their physical characteristics 

 made, and those retained are carefully stored for the winter. In the spring of the 

 fourth year these small and very rich beets are planted for seed production. Ac- 



