162 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



During our visits to many beet fields in Germany, 

 some experts declared themselves in favor of the selec- 

 tion of seed by density, using for the purpose special 

 saline baths; those sinking would give the best yield 

 as to quality and tonnage. It remains to be proven if 

 this method can be considered reliable, for certain 

 seeds, large or small, under certain conditions of poros- 

 ity of their outer covering, would absorb more or less 

 water. If the solution changes color to any great 

 extent during the few minutes which the test lasts, 

 that would be a certain indication that the seed in 

 question is old. 



Color and Odor. 



The color of the seed is not a question upon which 

 much reliance can be placed, as the condition of the 

 weather at the time of harvesting has a most important 

 influence, and examples may be cited where the seed 

 vras very dark in color yet proved of a satisfactory qual- 

 ity. This is explained by the fact that in the seed one 

 of the germs or sprouts may be dead and influence the 

 color of the pericarp. However, there is a certain 

 characteristic shading which is an evidence of quality, 

 determined, however, through considerable experience. 

 The small leaves, so to speak, adhering to the hard 

 portion of the outer covering of the seed are, within a 

 reasonable limit, indications of quality. While at first 

 moisture has very little effect on the germs proper, 

 after a time the amount absorbed brings about certain 

 fermentations, which have a very great influence on 

 the germinating power and the ultimate color. 



The atmospheric influence is so great at the period 

 of harvesting and maturity, that the color of the seed 

 varies between great limits, from very light to nearly 

 black. It is generally admitted that a slight green or 

 yellow color is a favorable indication of quality. In 

 most of the European experiment stations, very little 



