94 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



into them with 25 to 30 c. c. of water, from a reservoir 

 three to five feet above the table; its capacity depends 

 upon the requirements.. The water is rnixed with 30 to 

 40 c. c. of sub-acetate of lead, 28 to 30 Be.*^A),per liter 

 capacity, and is well stirred. A tut)e, either of glass or 

 rubber, connects the reservoir within easy reach of the 

 table, on which are the empty flasks waiting to be 

 filled. A special funnel is placed in the flask. The 

 funnel has an upper opening of 6 c. m., and is 7 c. m. 

 in length, its smaller dimensions being considerably 

 less than the neck of the flask; it is held in position by 

 suitable wire attachments. The capacity of the funnel 

 being at least 100 c. c, there need then be no danger 

 from splashing when being filled with the entire 

 contents of capsule; under these circumstances the air 

 from the flasks escapes without difficulty during filling. 

 A very important precaution is to thoroughly 

 moisten the pulp in the capsule before washing it into 

 the funnel over the flask. Great care should be taken to 

 have the flasks filled, exactly toi the 50 c. c. mark of the 

 flask; if necessary, by reason of excessive frothing, bet- 

 ter add a few drops of acetic acid, so as to make sure 

 that the desired volume is obtained, or allow for excess 

 in subsequent calculations. The flask, with pulp and 

 water, is thoroughly shaken. The filtering can be 

 conducted on a very large scale, the arrangement of 

 the apparatus varying with circumstances, f The glass 

 funnels should be of a suitable size. The clear filtrate 

 is collected in a conical-shaped tumbler; to it are added 

 a few drops of acetic acid ; when it is filled, it is taken 

 on a tray with twenty others to the table of the polari- 



*A satisfactory formula for the preparation of lead aoet.ate is as 

 follows— 325 to 350' g:rains neutral acetate of lead, 100 prams powdered 

 litharge, to whiich is arlded 900 jjrnms water. It is necessary to boil for 

 one-half hour to completely dissolve the litharge, add water until the 

 volume is one liter. Another formula given by a well-ltnown chemist 

 is— 350 grams neutral lead acetate, 55 c. c. ammonia, 800 gr.ams w.ater; 

 dissolve the acetate in water and then add the ammonia; the specific 

 gravity should be 26 degrees Be. 



tSee description of M. Legras's laboratory. 



