160 THE SUGAK BEET. 



The farmers near Lille (France) make piles of their 

 seed before sowing, and sprinkle the same with water; 

 shortly after this they are planted. Care in all eases 

 should be taken to prevent a fermentation, as the ger- 

 minating principles would then be destroyed. Some- 

 times the urine contains parasites which attack the 

 seed and do much harm. To get rid of the excess of 

 liquid the seeds are frequently rolled in plaster or cin- 

 ders, and are used only after a lapse of several days ; 

 evidently the amount permitted to adhere must be very 

 slight, as the gerinination of the seed would otherwise 

 be impossible. Some contend that there are many 

 advantages thus gained. Evidently from this idea it 

 was suggested to make use of a solution of lime and 

 water, and place the seed in the same for some twenty- 

 five hours. Grood results were thus obtained, but the 

 question now arises whether the sulphuric acid that 

 has combined with the lime to form plaster had not 

 also in the first case a better efiect than when the 

 lime was alone. We are convinced that a slight addi- 

 tion of an acid is most beneficial. Chloride and super- 

 phosphate of lime have also been adopted, but here again 

 we consider that the chloiine took an active part, as 



nation commences. If a portion of this had been gained in advance the num- 

 ber of days is diminished. 



For example, supposing this gain 66°, the number yet to attain would be 



200° — 82° 

 266° F. — 66° = 200°, and the days required „o _ aoo = ^-^ days, or a 



gain of 3.7 days. 



