174 SUGAB BEET SEED. 



Bretfeld, in Germany, has compiled some important 

 statistics during 1880-83, which are as follows: 1880, 

 18 per cent, ofthe seed did not germinate; in 1881, 16 

 per cent.; in 1882, 29 per cent.; in 1883, 21 per cent. 



Just the time at which seeds have the most of their 

 germs is by no means a settled question. In Kruger's 

 experiments, he obtained the following: 



Prof. Nobbe later took up the question and started 

 from the number of sprouts after the sixth day, per 100 

 seeds. The results offer no special interest other than 

 showing what is already known: That the number of 

 germs varies with the size of seed, for, as Knauer points 

 out, while with 100 large seeds weighing about 4.67 

 grams, there were 143 sprouts after six days, and 122 

 after 14 days, or a total of 265; with 100 small seeds 

 weighing 1.44 grams, there were 127 sprouts in six 

 days and 134 after 14 days. 



Germinators. 



Upon general principles, it may be said that 

 the best results are obtained in germinators 

 where the temperature is kept at about 25 degrees C. 

 This is very difficult to regulate, under which circum- 

 stances it is evident that the question of determining 

 the germinating power of beet seed is more laboratory 

 than farm work. However, when the farmer has a 

 well arranged greenhouse, the regulated conditions 

 may be obtained. If only a flower pot, and this be 

 placed in a closet with a few lights constantly burning, 

 the desired temperature will soon be reached, provid- 

 ing, however, that there be sufficient ventilation. 



There is a great variety of germinators, only 

 a. few of which need here be described. An 



