42 SUGAK BEET SEED. 



greater extent than roots weighing nearly 2| lbs. each. 

 The annual tendency, then, could be explained by the 

 possible want of vitality in very small beets. 



This is strangely in contradiction with what might 

 be supposed; for the original annuals from which the 

 bi-annuals have been created were evidently large in 

 size. Those theories maintaining that early or late 

 frosts after sowing have an important influence, have 

 not been sufficiently proved to be worthy of any spe- 

 cial consideration. That there is a retarding influence 

 upon the plant's development when the nights are cold 

 soon after planting, seems plausible, but this question 

 of annuals is not a retarding but a hastening tendency, 

 for in a few months there must be accomplished what 

 under ordinary circumstances demands two years. 



One fact is beyond cavil, that seed from annuals 

 gives an enormous proportion of annuals, and it is pos- 

 sible from a selection of such seed to create a variety 

 of beet that goes to seed the first year. Among the 

 most interesting experiments to determine if it were 

 not possible to do away with annuals entirely, may be 

 mentioned that of a second planting of bi-annuals 

 which have not flowered after the second year. Such 

 roots actually produced seed the third year, and this 

 seed gave roots perfectly normal in their sugar per- 

 centage, and had far less annual tendencies than 

 have beets grown from regular first-class seed. 

 Rimpau's experiments show£d some years since that 

 such beets contained 13.8 per cent, sugar and 82 p. c. 

 It is further claimed that it would be possible after a 

 period of years, by using the three-year beets, to create 

 a variety which would lose entirely its annual tendency. 

 One fact is never to be overlooked respecting annuals, 

 viz.: If they appear in any great number upon any spe- 

 cial field, avoid the roots for mother selecting, even 

 within distances of a half-mile, for the chances are that 

 the annual tendency will prevail, owing to the possible 

 fertilization with pollen from an annual. 



