SELECTIXG BEETS FOB SEED. 67 



The type of Legras beet for which general preference 

 at Besny is given, is shown in the engraving (Fig. 24). 

 The shape is regular, with lateral depressions, and it is 

 readily harvested. It is important to note that there 

 are several preliminary selections. When the final 

 roots are determined upon, they are placed in circular 

 piles, with necks and leaves on the outside. As soon 

 as possible, the leaves are removed, and a still further 

 selection follows. 



The roots selected for mothers weigh between 400 

 to 900 grams (14 oz. to 2 lbs.) each. Many seed grow- 

 ei s never use mothers weighing more than 300 grams 

 each, but this is evidentl)'^ a mistake, as has been many 

 tim.es proved by the results. However, there is ample 

 authority for asserting that when the chemical selec- 

 tii,T. has been properly looked after, it does not mat- 

 ter whether the beets are small or large, provided the 

 shape has been well considered. A German authority 

 iiigues that as mothers are only an intermediate 

 between the seed and the soil, there is no advantage 

 in using large beets, as the plant food required is taken 

 from the soil. Some growers, as previously men- 

 tioned, are most enthusiastic over the small motl er 

 theor}', and roots destined for this purpose are culti- 

 vated at distances of four inches apart, and in rows 

 eight inches from one another, 100,000 beets beingthus 

 obtained to the acre — none of which would weigh more 

 than three-quarters of a pound. Prof. ^Marek's exper- 

 iments, extending over several years, showed thatthere 

 was very little advantage, if any, in using small moth- 

 ers for seed production. The small-beet method offers 

 certain advantages of economy not to be overlooked; 

 the beets may be rapidly harvested, occupy less space 

 in silos, cost less for transportation, and it is possible 

 to replant them on a field which has been used the 

 same year for another crop. 



It is claimed, also, that small beets have stems 



