362 Oji the Chemistry of Silesian Sugar-Beets. 
this is generally tlie case, but not unfrequently we meet with 
exceptions to this general rule ; and it sometimes happens that 
the juice of very small roots has an unusually low specific gravity, 
whilst beets weighing considerably more than 3 lbs., when well 
ripened, not unfrequently produce a juice containing a much 
larger percentaj^e of sugar and having a higher specific gravity 
than very small immature roots. 
In the preceding Table, No. 19 was the smallest root, and 
weighed only 13 ounces. Nevertheless its juice had only a gravity 
of 1*0469. Again, No. 21 and No. 22, which were both grown on 
the same farm, differed greatly in weight, No. 21, weighing 
5 lbs. 0 oz. or more than twice the weight of No. 22. Not- 
withstanding its greater and, for a beet, unusually heavy weight, 
the juice of No. 21 was higher in specific gravity and yielded 
more sugar than that of the smaller beet, No. 22. 
The percentages of water in the preceding tabular statement 
vary greatly, the lowest in round numbers being 80-|^ and the 
highest 87J per cent. 
The heaviest beet of the 8 (No. 21), weighing nearly 5|-lbs., 
was not the most watery, for it contained 2J per cent, less water 
than No. 22, weighing only 2^ lbs. Indeed No. 21 contained 
scarcely \ per cent, more water than the very small root. No. 
19, weighing only 13 ounces and yielding 2 per cent, less sugar 
than the big beet. These results are of practical importance, 
for they show that it is quite possible to grow large sugar-beets of 
good average sugar-producing qualities. The aim of the beet-root- 
grower should be to obtain from his land a heavy crop, and at 
the same time roots of good average sugar-producing quality. 
On some land in England, I believe, from 20 to 25 tons of sugar- 
beets, of a quality not objected to by the manufacturer of beet-root 
sugar, might, and probably will, be produced at no very distant 
period, when more attention than at present will be paid to the 
proper selection of the seed, to the mechanical cultivation of 
the soil, and especially to the supply of the right kinds and 
proper quantities of manuring matters most favourable for beets 
on particular soils. 
The amount of water in the preceding roots varies from 81 to 
86f per cent., and that of sugar from 7 to 11 J per cent. 
Attention may be directed to the great similarity of the 
composition of roots No. 25 and No. 26, both grown on the same 
farm. Although white beets weighed l^lb. more than the red- 
skinned root they yielded quite as much sugar as the latter, and, 
taking no account of minute differences, contained not more 
albuminous matters, water, and saline mineral constituents. 
Probably white Silesian beets are better suited for the land on 
which both kinds were grown than the red skinned and purple- 
top sugar-beet. 
