158 THE SUGAR BEET. 



anee of working the soil in the proper manner ; the 

 oxygen imprisoned will greatly help the growth of the 

 plant ; but must not be in excess, as much harm would 

 then result.' 



IdgM. — Evidently, as soon as the leaves are appar- 

 ent above the surface light becomes of great importance. 

 What chemical or physical action, if any, takes place 

 during the germination we are unable to explain.^ 

 Seeds in their normal state that have been raised on a 

 given soil forming a given variety fall to the ground as 

 soon as matured. They here remain until the coming 

 year, having outlived the variations of the weather, and 

 are in a condition to give signs of life as soon as the 

 favorable season arrives for the same. !N^ow, if we 

 compare these with those gathered and dried, etc., be- 

 fore spoken of, evidently the time required for germin- 

 ation of the same will be longer in the latter case than 

 the former. The consequence of this is the weeds and 

 other wild growth will spring up and monopolize in 

 advance the entire soil ; hence the importance of some 

 artificial means which should not only stimulate the 

 growth, but keep at a distance insects, which are 

 much to be dreaded. 



The exterior coating of seed being frequently ex- 

 tremely hard, many advocate the rolling of them be- 



' See "Various Methods of Working the Soil." 



' Besides the above, Mr. Basset wishes to attribute certain effects to an elec- 

 tric action. We cannot see on what ground he advances this idea. 



