EEQUIBEMENTS OF SUGAR BEET SEED. 33 



idea, and that is to obtain a regular tapering root 

 rich in sugar, the chances for success are far better 

 than when too many intricate questions are involved, 

 there being no possibility of hybrids, no temptation to 

 cheat. How frequently it happens that one variety is 

 all sold and yet more supposed to be of the same kind 

 is furnished, by a simple change in the label on the 

 bag. How frequently it also happens that seed produ- 

 cers purchase their seed from a competitor, who is less 

 known in the market than themselves, this seed being 

 then sold not under the grower's, but the seller's name. 

 As manufacturers are largely in the hands of seed pro- 

 ducers, it is to their interest that they insist upon sim- 

 pler methods of selection and requirements. There 

 are two kinds of seed growers ; one is, where the selec- 

 tion is followed according to certain rules, and the 

 other, where efforts are made to produce a special race, 

 to which the grower attaches his name. The latter are 

 more satisfactory; but unfortunately, they have to con- 

 tend with rural growers, who use the best types at their 

 disposal, but not following strictly the technical lines 

 of selection that they should, there is a constant rever- 

 sion to lower forms, as the atavism has its full influence 

 as soon as there is the slightest departure from the 

 methods of selection and regeneration adopted during 

 a period of years. 



Advantages of Early Selection. — The mistake made 

 by most seed producers is, that they take too long to 

 accomplish what they have in view, the consequence 

 being that beets that were destined to become mothers 

 give discouraging results and are rejected; rapidity in 

 selection is the keystone for success. There certainly 

 do not exist many examples in the whole animal or 

 vegetable kingdom where tardy selection produces 

 superior progeny. Beets are not an exception to the 

 rule; when they are harvested they have a latent energy 

 or vitality that remains dormant during a period of 



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