254 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



daily; these analyses commence in January. There 

 are 300,000 beets that receive the attention of the 

 chemists in the laboratory. The planting of the sec- 

 ond grade selected beets for the production of seed for 

 the trade is done in rows ten inches apart, with spac- 

 ing of four inches in the rows. The annual produc- 

 tion is 600 tons. The characteristic of their Klein- 

 Wanzleben types is abundant growth of light green 

 leaves, slightly fringed on the outer border; the pulp 

 and skin are very white. The Vilmorin type has 

 darker green leaves, very little fringed on edges; the 

 roots are rather long, skin hard, and at times has 

 reddish spots. 



They claim that the richer the beet the greater the 

 number of leaf rings, and corresponding sugar cells of 

 the root. Hence, the reason why preference is always 

 given in the selection to those roots having many cir- 



. cles of small leaves. Production of beets from buds has 

 also been given an extended trial. Fifty buds are taken 

 from each mother; these are planted in sand in green- 

 houses — not heated; when large enough they are trans- 

 planted, and their subsequent weight frequently reaches 

 five pounds. About thirty out of the fifty give seed 

 which will yield beets as rich in sugar as the original 

 mother. Grafting has had a fair trial and has met with 

 Success; the root upon which the portion is grafted is 

 called a nurse, for it takes care of the portion attached 



' far better than could the root from which it was taken. 

 The influence of the nurses is carefully watched and 

 their buds are all removed. The seed from these 

 growers has gained considerable reputation all over 

 Europe. 



Fldrimond Desprez, Capelle, France. 



At one time, not many years ago, this firm held 

 its own against all comers and promised a greater 

 future than any special seed producer in the country, 



