40 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



not be placed on this theory, as the depth at which the 

 seed is planted may have its influence. This will evi- 

 dently have a retarding effect, corresponding to a loss 

 of vitality, which in many cases might result also in 

 the formation of annual beets. When the questions of 

 selection are not properly looked after in the labora- 

 tory, there may be annuals among the mothers chosen, 

 and, as a certainty, these will produce seed which in 

 turn give a whole generation of annuals. No better 

 method exists that renders possible for the observer to 

 learn whether the seed growers are what they pretend 

 to be, than the number of beets going to seed the year 

 of planting. If this is, say, lo per cent., the advice to 

 those interested is to cease all relation with this so- 

 called seed grower who has been so misleading in his 

 dealings. 



A certain dealer in seed, who had hitherto an 

 honorable reputation, delivered seed of which 50 per 

 cent, went to seed the first year; he attempted to prove 

 by a long series of experiments that his seed was not 

 the cause, but there were other conditions. He got 

 several sacks which had been left over from the unfor- 

 tunate factory owner to whom he had delivered the seed 

 in question; these he distributed among many well- 

 known farmers and experimental stations in many sec- 

 tions of France, and where the climatic conditions were 

 very different; the outcome of this investigation was, 

 that not more than i per cent, were annuals, and the 

 year previous one-half of the total amount used was 

 shown to be in this abnormal condition. 



Experiments have been made to determine 

 whether the degree of maturity of seed has not a cer- 

 tain influence. Experiments were made upon seed, large 

 and small; after a third generation of annuals it was 

 found that 60 per cent, of each gave annuals. Conse- 

 quently, it is concluded that the degree of maturity or 

 development of seed has very little influence. 



