144 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



to the hand shelling is, that it takes so long, and in 

 countries where labor is high this is evidently a very 

 ^objectionable feature. Mechanical shelling is used by 

 some and much condemned by others. The main 

 objection is, the very broken or mutilated condition in 

 which the seeds are left; a thorough fanning is most 

 important. Seed may be partly separated from their 

 stems by the use of an endless oscillating moving 

 apron; this is fed from a hopper. The seeds roll off, 

 while the impurities adhering to the apron are thrown 

 upon the ground at the other end of the machine; a 

 system of sorting may be combined with this. The 

 idea is to have a double slanting apron, the heavy seeds 

 traveling the farthest. 



The shelling and cleaning may be done at one- 

 half cent per pound. The cleaned seed is now kept in 

 some dry, well-ventilated room, beyond the reach of 

 rats and mice. On many farms it is hung up in bags 

 to the ceiling, and when dried, is kept in bags or bar- 

 rels, as the case may be. When in piles, it should be 

 constantly turned over, so as to bring it as much as 

 possible in contact with the air. Of late years it is 

 found desirable to submit seed to a hot-air drying proc- 

 ess, so that it may, within the least possible interval, 

 have the standard per cent, of moisture. There remain 

 in the way of stalks about 3000 lbs. to the acre; 

 this residuum is rich in potassa and contains, 

 also, phosphoric acid. It may be used as bedding for 

 animals at the farm. On the other hand, the waste 

 from beet seed cleaning may render excellent service 

 in cattle feeding.* In conclusion, we wovild say that 

 we recommend that all beet-seed producers submit 

 their seed to a germinating test before allowing them 

 to leave their premises. Furthermore, we insist that the 

 purchaser make his test on the same lines as the seed 



• See Chapter on "Old Seed Utilization." 



