138 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



limits of a seed farm ; this acts as a trap for the enemy 

 and answers the purpose. At Klein- Wanzleben and in 

 other centres, excellent precautions are taken for pro- 

 tection against climatic conditions, which consist of a 

 wire roof covering over the entire field of Elites. This 

 should be sufficiently high to allow a free passage 

 under; outer wire fences are also used to keep off 

 rabbits, etc. 



Harvesting. — The harvesting of mothers culti- 

 vated for special laboratory purposes, does not, on 

 general principles, very much differ from the harvest- 

 ing of beets for an ordinary sugar factory. Special 

 harvesters, or plows, may be used for the purpose, the 

 beets collected with great care and placed in baskets; 

 the slightest bruise may have a very important influ- 

 ence. The cost of this harvesting in France is about 

 $13 per acre. The harvesting of seed is a more com- 

 plicated question. It must not be put off too long and 

 should be done during dry weather, for if the seeds and 

 stalks are wet when taken indoors, the ultimate 

 value will be decreased, owing to a decrease in the 

 germinating power. 



The first sign of maturity is when the fruit com- 

 mences to turn brown, and if, weather permitting, this 

 changes to yellow, the ripening process may even con- 

 tinue later. The determination of percentage of dry 

 substances is an indication of maturity; 60 per cent, is 

 the standard. Knauer says that beet, seed are ripe when 

 they have a ilour-like taste when bitten into. If the 

 complete maturity is awaited, a considerable number 

 of seed will necessarily be lost, owing to their very 

 slight adherence to their stems; hence, the reason why 

 many recommend that the stalks be harvested green. 

 The cutting of stalks, or stems, on the field is shown 

 in engraving (Fig. 47). An ordinary sickle and not a 

 spade is used; the principal objection to the latter is 

 the excessive shaking of the stalk. It is advisable ta 



