70 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



the question of creating a new variety was discussed. 

 Numerous methods having the same object in view 

 were subsequently proposed, and these may be clas- 

 sified as follows: ist, Density of the entire root; 2d, 

 density of a piece of beet; 3d, density of the juice of 

 the beet; 4th, estimation of sugar in the juice by chem- 

 ical methods; 5th, estimation of sugar in the beet by 

 means of the polariscope, in connection with which 

 have been proposed: (a), the alcoholic method; (b), hot 

 and cold water methods; (c), cold water, using a special 

 rasp, with subsequent weighing of the pulps, (d), cold 

 water, with a special sampler, without weighing. 



It is important to pass in review these various 

 methods: ist. Density of the entire root. The discus- 

 sions relating to this subject extended over several 

 years. The baths at first had densities which varied 

 from 10 to 6° Be. Those beets sinking and of a close 

 h xture were kept for seed. The discovery by 

 Vilmorin of a frequent air cavity in the neck of beets 

 made evident the fallacy of the method he was using, 

 and besides there is another objection not to be over- 

 looked, viz., the densities of the baths are not constant, 

 because after a short time dirt, etc., adhering to the 

 roots, and subsequently remaining in the tanks, will 

 considerably alter the results, notwithstanding the care 

 bestowed in washing the beets. 



The Knauer method for mechanically dividing the 

 beets into piles, according to their weight, for some 

 time attracted considerable attention. This had cer- 

 tainly a great advantage over the mode previously 

 adopted, as it was hardly possible to determine the 

 weight of all the beets on the field before sending them 

 to the factory. Furthermore, it was evident that if the 

 roots were left on the ground after harvesting, they 

 would have a certain amount of moisture which would 

 undoubtedly alter the results. The difficulty of properly 

 removing the leaves was evidently another source of 



