IMPROVEMENT OP THE SEED. 177 



the laws here existing being identical with those of 

 mixed races.^ 



The Germans were the first to call attention to the 

 above, and their methods pnt into practice many years 

 ago, and continued down to the present day, with but 

 little change, are based on exterior signs^ whilst the 

 roots are still growing in the field. 



Evidently, the chai-acteristic points of beets rich in 

 sugar vary according to the type, methods of planting, 

 soils, and geographical location, and, for that reason, 

 have not the same interest as they would otherwise 

 have had; consequently, it is important for each farmer 

 to ascertain for himself what these are. 



Those growing near Magdeburg, and chosen for 

 mothers to be planted the'following year, are well be- 

 neath the surface ; their tops are rather small and not 

 conical, but few outer leaves, and those are flat and 

 grow near the ground ; at their centre, they are in a 

 cluster, the general tint of these is bright green, and not 

 spotted nor fringed with red. They should have been 

 grown on a soil and in a manner best calculated to yield 

 roots rich in sugar.' We are informed that if beets 



' For example, if white and black races be mixed there will exist a continual 

 tendency to return to their normal inferior state, which is black. 



* Leplay and other French scientists have contended that there exist no outer 

 signs. The best proof of their error is to consider the superiority of the German 

 beet over their own, and to consider that Knauer started from a root that con- 

 tained but 11 per cent., and had for final result 16 per cent. {Imperiale) by the 

 adoption of these principles. 



» See Chapters " Fertilizers," and " Sowing of the Seed." 



