156 



SUGAR BEET S?:ED. 



variations in results; a synopsis of the same is 

 as follows: 



So it becomes evident that very little stress can be 

 attached to the question of size of seed. It is far more 

 important to give special attention to the condition of 

 development of the seed proper than to whether they 

 are large or small. Furthermore, it has be6n conclu- 

 sively demonstrated that germs, even from the same 

 seed, may give beets of a very different composition 

 and yield. In the experiments in question, the weight 

 varied from 55 to 835 grams, yet they were planted 

 under exactly the same conditions. 



Briem declares that these variations are due to the 

 physiological condition of the flower, the various por- 

 tions of which have not been fertilized at the same 

 time, or under exactly the same conditions. It is inter- 

 esting to add that during these intervals of time, cli- 

 matic influences have exerted their effects; further- 

 more, the beet itself, during this period, undergoes 

 great variations, which bring about changes in the 

 flowering of what becomes an ultimate seed with 

 several germs. The same variations have been 

 noticed with numerous other plants in the whole 

 botanical realm. 



Actual Weight of Beet Seed. 



Notwithstanding that this question has been under 

 discussion for many years, there yet remains much to 

 be done, on account of a great want of uniformity in 

 the methods of investigation. The ballast, or outer 

 covering (pericarp) of the seed varies so much with the 

 size of the seed, and the difficulties in certain cases of 



