HOME-GKOWN BEET SEED. 235 



adopted, then the chemical analysis is made only every 

 two years, and seed could be obtained at about eight 

 cents per pound, or less. 



Any enterprising chemist attempting this work, 

 however, would find, after a few years of enormous 

 expenditure of energy, that there would be certain dis- 

 appointments. Complete laboratories with this idea in 

 view require considerable capital. We must in time 

 create an American variety of beet seed, bui has that 

 time yet arrived ? If it has, let the work be done by 

 a person who has in view only the specialty of seed 

 production, and not by general seed dealers, who com- 

 bine the question with other branches of their trade.* 

 One who, furthermore, has the technical knowl- 

 edge for the work to be done, which demands a 

 thorough grounding, not only in the principles of 

 botany, but also in the use of the microscope. 

 Much remains to be discovered from a botanical stand- 

 point; and laboratories where botany is a basis of their 

 selection, will, in time, take the lead. As matters now 

 stand, most of the ten or more leading beet-seed pro- 

 ducers of Europe have vegetable organic development 

 and changes under constant notice; so much so, that in 

 connection with their laboratories are works of Dar- 

 win and other leading investigators of plant life and 

 requirements. 



For creating a special type of beet, a certain 

 number of years is necessary, as before explained, 

 but the thoroughness of the subject is a lifelong 

 study. From what we have just said, it stands to rea- 

 son that many of the newly created varieties from 



•Since the above was writteii, a well orgranized beet-seert selecting 

 laboratory lias come under our notice, where last year there were 

 made 337,389 analyses in forty-one days, or an average of 8227 analyses 

 per diem. By the use of two polariscopes, the cost for actual labor 

 ■was S576, appliances, etc., $503, or a total of $1079, to which must be 

 added the interest, wear and tear, etc., of $700 cost of plant. There 

 were 263,567 beets kept for mothers, and the cost of the selection i.s 

 about one-half cent per beet kept. Tliis means more than half ths 

 help are women, at fifteen cents a'day. 



