PRODUCTION OF SUPERIOR SEED. 



211 



From which" it is difficult to see just in what the 

 advantage consists. 



Another table of special interest shows that with 

 small roots the weight of seed obtained is greater than 

 with large roots. 



Laryt' MoiJiers. 



"Weight when plaiiiecl 



"Weight after seed has 

 been harvested 



Increase of weight 

 during seed forma- 

 tion 



"Weight of seed ob- 

 tained per beet 



Total increase of 

 weight of tlie root, 

 seed, stalls, etc 



Grains. 



442 to 337 

 972 to 710 



530 to 271 

 375 to 177 



1.423 to 398 



Medium. 

 rJviins. 



I .J to 66 

 417 to 400 



351 to 328 

 470 to 120 



1.200 to 361 



"Veiv Small. 



Grams. 



29 to 10 

 C90 to IGO 



676 to 143 



475 to 96 



1,171 to 374 



From which it is concluded that small beets weighing 

 29 grams (one ounce) to 10 grams (0.35 ounce), when 

 planted in patches, increased in weight 1171 grams to 

 374 grams (41 ounces to 13 ounces), and furnished 475 

 to 96 grams (16.6 ounces to 3.3 ounces) seed per beet. 

 Very small beets, when planted, demand that the 

 soil be well prepared and that a proper fertilizer be 

 used. It is claimed that small beets give fewer small 

 stems and small seed than do large beets. The stalks 

 of these have rapid and excessive development, thus 

 absorbing the plant food in reserve in the neck of the 

 mother. If excessive heat and dry weather follow, the 

 root in the soil has no longer the strength to meet the 

 demand of the stalk, nor can it withdraw the requisite 

 plant. food from the surrounding soil; the stalks are 

 consequently in a condition to yield poor seed. Just 

 the reverse of these conditions is found with the small 

 mothers, which, as before explained, the development 

 of the root and stalks being in harmony with each 

 other, are in a better condition to meet the climatic 

 variations with which we frequently have to contend. 



