62 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



nerves and partially developed latent nerves; such roots 

 will generally contain 15 to 18 per cent, sugar. The 

 observations in this direction are destined to lead to 

 excellent results. It is generally found desirable ta 

 throw out all beets having large or small, deformed or 

 badly shaped leaves. 



While Kneifel, in his special study on beet leaves,, 

 declares that there is no relation between the shape of 

 beet leaves and the sugar percentage of the root, Doerst- 

 ling asserts that his observations tend to show that the 

 size of a leaf is of very great importance; those beets 

 having leaves of 316.7 sq. c. m. contain 14.2 per cent, 

 sugar, while others with leaves of areas of 170 sq. c. m. 

 polarize only 13.5 per cent. This seems rational to us,- 

 furthermore, we are convinced that large leaves help- 

 the beet very considerably to attain its full development. 

 This leaf growth is most rapid during the first month 

 after planting; the leaves that follow are smaller and 

 none of the latest formed appear to remain more than 

 six weeks, and as the size of these decreases, their num- 

 ber seems to increase. All these questions of shape, 

 wrinkles, nerves, fringed, etc., should be noted by 

 sugar-beet seed specialists, and correct notes made, 

 for these items are of great importance in the selec- 

 tion. .Siich botanical considerations are of great help, 

 for after many years of constant attention, one can 

 create an individual type through this assistance, com- 

 bined with other requisites, which shall be very 

 tliornughlv examined in chapters that follow in this 

 present writing. 



Exterior Signs as Indications of Quality. 



Those who have observed the almost certain rela- 

 tions existing between the exterior signs indicating 

 qualities or defects of organism, both in men and in 

 animals, will not hesitate to admit that the entire vege- 

 table kingdom is controlled by similar laws. Vilmorin 



