470 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—M. 
muriate of potash gave on the average 8, 1, 2 units respectively of sugar beet 
roots, as compared with 13, 3, 8 units respectively of potatoes in similar 
experiments. Sulphate of ammonia almost always increased the tops and 
generally increased the roots, but it also caused small reductions in the per- 
centage of sugar, and in the purity of the juice. Superphosphate had little 
effect on either yield or composition. Muriate of potash generally increased 
the sugar percentage. Salt was often beneficial. It appears probable that 
the sugar beet obtains nutrients as well as water from the deeper soil horizons, 
and at present there is no convenient method of enriching these except by 
continued high farming, deep cultivation and early application of certain 
fertilisers. 
Mr. H. H. Stirrup.—The diseases of sugar beet (10.50). 
Black Leg is the most serious disease affecting young seedlings of the 
sugar beet. When either climatic or soil conditions are unfavourable for 
good seedling growth, the plants become weakened and rendered more 
susceptible to attack by the fungi associated with this disease. ‘The question 
of whether seed should be disinfected to prevent Black Leg or not is an 
economic one. Strong winds occurring when the seedlings are just showing 
above ground can cause severe losses, particularly on light sandy soils. 
‘Strangle disease’ may cause a severe loss in plant population after 
‘singling.’ ‘The exact cause of this trouble is not yet known. 
Heart Rot is most prevalent on alkaline soils. Recent work has shown 
that the primary cause is the absence of boron from the soil in a form in 
which it can be utilised by the plant. 
There are three distinct virus diseases of the sugar beet, viz. Mosaic, 
Virus Yellows, and Crinkle. Crinkle is confined to certain parts of Germany 
and has not yet appeared in England. Other forms of ‘ Yellows,’ not caused 
by viruses, also occur. 
Downy Mildew is very sporadic in appearance because its occurrence 
and spread are dependent on certain definite climatic conditions. Leaf 
Spot (Cercospora beticola) causes severe losses in certain countries. The 
special conditions that favour it are high temperature and high humidity of 
the surrounding atmosphere. Violet Root Rot is caused by a soil inhabiting 
fungus, but attacks are usually strictly localised in certain fields. 
Mr. T. G. FowLer.—The production of the sugar beet crop from the 
factory point of view (11.10). 
Before the introduction of the sugar beet crop into this country the 
majority of the farmers were accustomed to selling their products under 
very elastic terms and conditions. ‘The factories have gradually educated 
their growers to accept and welcome business-like methods for the sale of 
their sugar beet under a standard form of contract. 
Although a fair crop of sugar beet can be produced by adopting cultiva- 
tions and manures similar to those which the farmer has been accustomed to 
apply to his ordinary roots, a maximum crop, equal to continental standards, 
requires more intensive and careful attention to detail. In order to educate 
the farmer to produce a maximum crop it has been necessary for the factories 
to provide a large and well-trained agricultural staff. 
Sugar beet is, comparatively, an expensive crop to grow, so the factories 
assist the grower by cash advances before the roots are delivered. The 
delivery and reception of a very large tonnage of roots from a great number 
