166 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



tainty that small seeds, whatever be their classification, 

 contain less moisture than do the large. Hence, if 

 there actually exists some relation between moisture 

 and the sprouting power, small seed should sprout 

 more readily than large seed. We think that the prac- 

 tical tests in germination will show that this is 

 not true. 



Sampling for Germination. 



It is most difficult to get what may be called an 

 average sample of beet seed, and those who have not 

 looked into the question would be surprised to learn 

 of the extreme care necessary, and the difficulties to be 

 contended with. It must not be forgotten, as pre- 

 viously mentioned, that what is generally termed beet 

 seed is in reality not a seed, but an aggregation of 

 seeds held under the same shell or husk. An expla- 

 nation from a botanical standpoint is rather compli- 

 cated, but one fact is certain, that there seems to be 

 very little relation between the sprouts and the total 

 number of germs a seed may contain. It is interest- 

 ing to note what agronomists of the European world 

 have done, Messrs. Nobbe, Maercker, Weinzierl and 

 Pagnoul, for Germany, Austria and France. While 

 complete uniformity does not exist in the observations 

 by the many methods in existence, they are interesting 

 and worthy of a trial. It would be impossible, even in 

 a special volume, to pass in review all the various 

 methods of sampling, including laboratory germina- 

 tion, for the complete data would not be procurable. 



Upon general principles, this sampling should be 

 done in the presence of the purchaser and dealer, or 

 their agent. When purchasing on a large scale, it is 

 important to open several bags, noting whether the 

 appearance of the centre is about the same as the outer 

 border. In France, it is recommended that samples 

 be tajven from each of five bags when the sale is limited 



