' Production of Sugar-Beet Seed B17 
These figures show that between a third and a half of 
the seed required was produced in the country during 
1916 and 1917. Considerable of the remainder came 
from Russia through Siberia. Since the reserves of seed 
stored in the country have gradually decreased, it will 
be necessary to rely entirely on the home supply until 
seed can be obtained from Europe. — 
DISADVANTAGES OF IMPORTING SEED 
The importation of seed is attended by many disad- 
vantages. In the first place, the entire beet-sugar in- 
dustry is threatened in times of war, when, for any reason, 
it would be impossible to import seed. This condition 
cannot fail to detract to a great extent from the stability 
of the industry. Perhaps the most important disad- 
vantage of imported seed is that the breeding has been 
done for conditions unlike those in which the beets are | 
to be raised. Since the climate and soils of Europe are | 
different from those of the beet-growing sections of the 
United States, there is doubtless a great loss in yield and 
sugar-content due to the foreign seed not being entirely 
suited to local conditions. When the source of supply 
is not near at hand, there is likely to be difficulty in ad- 
justing any little business differences, which at times may 
become annoying. In times of scarcity of good seed, 
there is also a likelihood that the best will be held in 
Europe for home-planting and inferior seed sent to 
America. 
Tests made at Schuyler, Nebraska, as early as 1893, 
gave better yields of beets with higher sugar-content 
