SEEDS AND SOWING. 



1G7 



We conclude that in this special case the most favor- 

 able distance is 0.40 X 0.25 (17.7 X 11.8 inch) not only 

 in reference to the yield to the hectare (2| acres), but in 

 the quantity of sugar. Some practical men contend that 

 the percentage of salts contained in the roots when at 

 short distance is greater than it would have been under 

 ordinary circumstances. This we doubt much, as it 

 is contrary to the results obtained all over Europe. 

 As a general rule we may say that the distance a (see 

 fig. 34) should never be over 16 inches, and the dis- 

 tance 6 never less than 7 inches. 



Knowing the importance of growing the roots as 

 closely as possible, the manufacturer frequently offers 

 prizes,^ the value of which varies with the number of 

 plants obtained to the acre. Once the distance between 

 the lines and the roots is determined, it becomes easy to 

 calcuUte the theoretical amount a given soil will yield, 

 hence the weight of seed that will be required; re- 



' For example, fO.25 per ton for 30,000 roots to the acre. 

 0.40 ' " " 40,000 " " " 

 0.60 " " 50,000 " " " 



