Pond. — On the Sugar Values of Beet-roots. 367 



This root No. 1 was a well-shaped one, of large proportions, very 

 watery, but with a very low percentage of sugar. This is the lowest result 

 I have obtained, and far below any other. At the same time its excessive 

 size would lead to the conclusion that its value in sugar was low. 



One more parcel I received of unknown seed, from Eaglan, through Mr. 

 Will, comprising five small roots, badly formed, the largest of which, 

 weighing 1 lb. 12 ozs., yielded a percentage of sugar, 8'14. 



I now proceed to note the results of the seed obtained by Mr. Graham 

 from Hamburgh, and which had been distributed as already noted. There 

 were three kinds in all. 



No. 1. — Genuine white small Wanzlebenel Imperial. 

 ,, 2. — Deppe's pure white improved Silesian Imperial. 

 ,, 3. — Extra saccharine Eed-top Imperial. 

 In the following notes I will simply call these varieties by their respec- 

 tive numbers — 1, 2, and 3. 



On the 10th March I received three roots, one of each variety, from 

 Mr. E. Watson, Pukerimu. 



No. 1. — Weight, 13 ozs. ; percentage of sugar 13'57 

 „ 2.— „ 1 lb. 1 oz.; and No. 3 (weight, 12 

 ozs.), I treated in the aggregate, with the 

 result of 15 per cent, of sugar, this being 

 the highest value obtained. 

 On the 2nd of April I received a parcel of five roots from Mr. E. B. Walker, 

 Cambridge, the weights of which were between 1 lb. 1 oz. and 1 lb. 15 ozs. 

 and were of the three varieties, but without anything to distinguish them. 

 These I treated in the aggregate with the result of 13*57 per cent, of sugar. 

 Taking the best proportioned root of the parcel, weight 1 lb. 10 ozs., I found 

 it to contain 15 per cent, of sugar. 



On the 10th August I received samples of the three kinds of root 

 already named, from Mr. T, Goodfellow, Alexandra, which gave the follow- 

 ing results : — 



No. 1. — Weight, 1§ lbs., percentage of sugar 12-66 

 „ 2.- „ li „ „ „ .. 11-40 



„ 3.— „ 2| „ „ „ .. 9-82 



These roots arrived with the crowns removed. I had, therefore, no oppor- 

 tunity of observing whether there had been any late growth of leaves, but 

 from the freshness of the roots and the results above quoted, I should think 

 they had been left in the ground, and not dug up at maturity and stored. 



I have now given the results of the examination of roots grown in the 

 different parts of the Waikato, and will not unnecessarily multiply the 

 details for you, but take as a last experiment the result of analysis of roots 

 grown upon Mr. Graham's estate at Tamahere. It was my desire to 



