SOILS FOR SEED PKODUCTICN. 143 



It is interesting to note that the time when the 

 flowers appear depends upon the country and the total 

 heat the mothers have had at their disposal during 

 their second year's growth. It may be said, however, 

 that those appearing during the first of August should 

 be pinched off, as they will, in general, yield inferior 

 seed. Fiihling recommends the harvesting of all 

 matured stalks. The ends of the remaining semi-green 

 stems are also pinched off; this practice tends to hasten 

 maturity. Some agronomists recommend the cutting 

 of stems from the roots and leaving the latter in the 

 ground as a manure; but this practice is a mistake. 

 The mothers, having been separated from the stems, 

 form but a poor fertilizer. Insects are attracted by 

 them, and frequently deposit their eggs therein; and 

 resulting larvae are likely to do much harm to the sub- 

 sequent crop. On some beet farms roots and stems 

 are harvested together; it is advisable to shake them 

 over a linen receptacle, and in this manner the loose 

 seed is separated from the stem. The roots and stems 

 are then hung up to dry, the vegetation continues for 

 some little time, and the non-matured seed is soon 

 entirely ripe. 



It is generally desirable to do the shelling 

 during very dry, cold weather. The operation 

 required some skill in former times. Archard advised 

 rubbing the stems between the hands, and to subse- 

 quently pass the whole through a sieve, in order to 

 eliminate the dried leaves and other impurities. The 

 operation of shelling, as is now practiced; is carried on 

 by women and children. The stalks with seed are 

 drawn through two jaws with saw-like teeth; the upper 

 jaw is held with the left hand, and a slight pressure 

 is given. 



It is customary to give the stalks before this oper- 

 ation a preliminary threshing on the floor; a practice 

 about which there is much to be said. The objection 



