46 SUGAK BEET SEED. 



Technical Considerations. 



Hereditary and individual characteristics are the 

 two main questions to be considered. Heredity 

 gives the characteristics of the race to which it belongs. 

 The individual question dififers from the race in many 

 particulars. The hereditary influence may be divided 

 into three divisions: 1st, the direct power or force, 

 which means that the progeny resemble the nearest 

 parent in a direct line; 2d, the conservative atavism," 

 which tends to force the resemblance to a whole series 

 of individuals, of which the race consists; 3d. the retro- 

 grade atavism, which means an influence whicli tends 

 to take after the original parent. If the first and sec- 

 ond influences work together, there is a tendency to 

 branch out and form an individual type. 



If the individual dififers very materially from the 

 general characteristics of his race, the direct heredity 

 and the atavism will, in a measure, work in opposition 

 to each other. The direct heredity is the most pow- 

 erful force with which to contend, and while its influ- 

 ence mav not for a while be noticed, it is only a ques- 

 tion of time before it re-establishes itself on regular 

 lines. The atavism, on the other hand, is slow in its 

 influence, but it at once exerts its force when there is 

 any neglect on the part of the seed specialist. That 

 individual types can be created and their characteris- 

 tics transmitted through several generations, is an 

 absolute fact. Upon general principles, it is far easier 

 to transmit a fault than a quality. The individual type 

 permits a physical selection and materially helps in the 

 chemical or laboratory selection. 



It must never be forgotten that the sugar percent- 

 age of a beet is not alone a sure basis for the creation 

 of a type! The particular root under examination may 

 have had special advantages of soil, plant food, dis- 

 tance in row; etc. The individual selection alone is a. 

 mistake, for the conditions of environment may bring 



