. FARM CROPS OF CANADA IN 1001 37 



The Royal Giant is one not quite so ricji in sugar. Vilmorin's Improved, -which is 

 one of the varieties we have been growing, is one of the richest sugar beets that is 

 grown in France. That variety does not produce a heavy crop and hence does not come 

 in the four best sorts. It does not grow so long a root, but it has given an average 

 yield of 19 tons 118 pounds ^er acre for the past five years. 



The AVansleben is also a variety rich in sugar, and these two latter sorts are among 

 the best beets grown for sugar through the civilized world. 



Q. What is the quality given by the "Wansleben best ? 



A. This last year the "Wansleben gave at the Central Farm 25 tons 160 pounds 

 per acre and as an average for five years 25 tons 1,496 pounds. 



By Mr. Clancy : 



Q. Can you say. Doctor, what variety is being grown in Michigan ? 



A. I really don't know. There are many varieties of sugar beets now available, 

 and it is very important for the sugar factory that the beets be rich in sugar. The 

 test of sugar beet seeds is made in this way. The beit growers of sugar beet seeds test 

 every one of their beets before they are planted for seed by scooping out a little piece of 

 the beet and working it up into a solution and putting this into an instrument called 

 a polariscope, where the proportion of sugar in it can at once be determined. All 

 the roots which fall below a certain standard are rejected. 



By Mr. Wright : 



Q. Every individual beet ? 



A. Yes, every individual beet is subjected to that process by the best seed growers. 



By Mr. Clancy : 



Q. That is in the country where they grow them. Wc import all our seed from 

 Germauy ? 



A. That is the practice in Germany, and the quality of the beets grown much 

 depends on the care taken by the seed growers. While that is the practice of the best 

 growers, there are probably quantities of seed, without taking the trouble of testing 

 the roots in the way I have mentioned. The difference in the results are so import- 

 ant that the managers of sugar factories are always very particular about where they 

 got their seed. The Vilmorin's Improved is grown by the well known seed firm of 

 Vilmorin & Andrieux, of Paris, France. The Vilmorins ha\c for several generations 

 been working on sugar beets with the object of increasing their percentage of sugar, 

 and they have been very successful. When sugar beet growing was begun iii France, 

 it is said that six per cent of sugar was abotit the average proportion in the beets, 

 but by the long continuance of this plan of selection, the proportion has been gradually 

 increased to about li per cent. This shows that it is possible, by continued and per- 

 sistent work along certain lines, to influence nature a great deal, and this is a very 

 striking example of the success which has been achieved by continued, experiments 

 through several generations. 



By Mr. ^yilson : 

 Q. Could you tell us the size of the best sugar beet? They are not the largest 



generally, are they ? , ,^ , . 



A. The best beets are said to average a halt or three-quarters of a pound to a 

 pound, usually, anything.much over a pound is- considered too large for the best results. 



q'. That would not. be bigger than your. fist ? 



a! Probably about that thickness, and seven or eight inches long. 



