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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. " LI 



very simple problem was not definitely solved until 1913 when 

 actual correlations^ were available. Coefficients ranging from 

 — .224 to — .756 for the relationship between weight of root 

 and sugar content of juice in various sliort series of data were 

 found. The results were published only after faihire in a con- 

 scientious and systematic effort to obtain from the agricultural 

 experiment stations really adequate series of data for detailed 

 biometric analysis. 



Fortunately tlie conclusions have since been fully confirmed. 

 Pritchard,^ iu dealing with samples of 250 to 400 beets grown 

 at Fairfield, AVashington. found constants ranging from — .253 

 to —.499. Working with larger samples = 3.784) from 

 Brookings. kS. I)., he found r— - — .258, while Harris and 

 Hogensen,^ who had a sample of nearly 7,000 beets'' from Utah 

 cultures, found r — — .288. 



The splendid work of these investigators leaves no doubt that 

 the i)ercentage sugar eontent decreases, and, as Harris and 

 Gortner indicated on their limited series of data, in a sensibly 

 linear manner, with increase in weight of root. 



These studi<N. based as they are in some of these series, at 

 least, upon closely bred material, fully justify the criticisms of 

 the conclusions of Andrlik, Uarto; and Trban' by Harris and 

 Gortner.*" 



Harris and Gortner have also found negative correlations 

 Thus the larger rof)ts have a smaller quantity of total solids, a 



