90 



SUGAR BEET SEED. 



Experiments of Pellet show that both sides jf the 

 beet have not necessarily the same composition; hence!», 

 for accurate results it is very desirable to turn the beet 

 over and take two or three samples from it, until the 

 weight is above 16.20 grams, for French polariscopes ; 

 if only the large diameter — the beet having always a 

 depression on one side — is sampled, the result 

 obtained will be in excess. Practical experiments 

 show that with the large diameter the average sugar 

 per cent, is 13.43, while with the small diameter the 

 per cent, is 13.23. The amount of pulp obtained in 

 the case of the large diameter is nearly double that of 

 the smaller section. While a rasp of this kind would 

 not be suitable for the selection of beets which are to 

 be subsequently used for seed production, it is des- 

 tined to render excellent services m experimental 

 work, where it is desired to determine the value of 

 various experimental patches of families, having cer- 

 tain characteristics, before commencing the final selec- 

 tion of the root proper. It must be noted, however, 

 that if the fractional vertical slices for seed production 

 become popular, the rasp would possibly find some 

 application in beet-selecting laboratories. 



The Poliakowsky method, if it had been more 

 thoroughly studied, would have led to the water proc- 

 ess that Pellet subsequently discovered. An impor- 

 tant essential for success by this method is, that the 

 pulps be excessively fine and cream-like. It is not 

 desirable to weigh more than 26.048 grams for the Ger- 

 man polariscope, for a volumel of 201.35 c. c, or 25.87 

 grams for a volume of 200 c. c. The pulp is washed in ai 

 special flask of 200 c. c. capacity; 5 to 7 c. c. sub- 

 acetate at 30 degrees Be are added, then a few drops 

 of ether. Considerable agitation of the flask and con- 

 tents is necessary to avoid frothing. The 200 c. c. 

 are completed with water; filtration and polarization 

 as usual. It is recommended before polarizing that 



