As the proportion of air cells affects the specific gravity 
of the whole root, the value of the calculation is not 
exhausted until it is applied to the expressed juice, 
with the air cells dissipated ; and herein is found, not only 
a determining factor of the keeping quality of the root, but a 
relationship with the solid compounds which constitute the feeding 
value. The juice is the vehicle which conveys to the animal 
the best parts of the solids in a soluble digestible form, hence 
the importance of its analysis. The specific gravity of a root 
is subject to variations according to the conditions under which 
it is developed, but it must be obvious to anyone that the 
one element of certainty is that, the higher the density, the better 
the quality of the root and the more solid the constituent parts it 
contains, and it naturally follows that by careful rejection of those 
of lower specific gravity the better the stock. 
(Before we leave this part of the subject we -will mention 
here also that we attach such great value and importance to the 
principle of specific gravity that we are already applying it to 
cereals and seeds themselves. We state this en passant, not for 
the purpose of laying any data before our readers on this branch 
of the subject, but rather to prepare them for an announcement 
at a later date, when we have advanced further in our experiments 
and can place the results upon record.) 
The conclusions we have drawn from our exhaustive 
experiments on roots are as follows : — 
1. All roots have a tendency to contain an excess of 
water, which in itself is valueless. 
2. Some varieties contain water to a harmful degree. 
3. A small deviation in the percentage of water alters 
materially the value of the crop in feeding properties. 
4. Five tons of one crop may contain as much solid food 
as ten tons of another. 
5- The obvious necessity arises of ascertaining the weight 
of solids in any root crop. 
6. The specific gravity of a root is a guide to its keeping 
quality. 
7. The specific gravity of the juice is a guide to its 
feeding quality. 
8. When the density is highest in both the juice and the 
whole root, the value of the stock is materially 
increased. 
9. The increase of saccharine matter in Mangels and all 
other roots goes hand-in-hand with the increase of 
• feeding value. 
10. The quantity of dry matter is not necessarily 
a determining- factor in the feeding- value 
of roots. 
SIGNIFICANT FACTS. 
It must not be overlooked that the different qualities in roots 
which are indicated by the varying degrees of density, the 
presence or absence of sugar and digestible solids, and the large 
or small amount of water, are solid, substantia), and tangible 
differences, which can only be fully realised when they are 
converted into money value. 
From the outset we have recorded elaborate tables registering 
the different qualities of the roots passing through our hands from 
all sources, tables which are preserved for subsequent use and 
comparison, as we proceed from step to step in the improvements 
we are effecting. As our method comprises four distinct sets ol 
figures, representing four values, we have had to adopt a 
system which enables us to register the combined qualities 
under a common denominator, the calculation being worked out 
to a decimal point. 
In our register the combined qualities of the poorest Mangel 
only reached 10-15 P er cent, of value, while the combined qualities 
of the best amount to 25-45 per cent, of value. These are the 
two extremes, and they show at a glance the necessity of discarding 
the one and fostering the other. 
Now, for illustrative purposes, let us convert this into money 
value. We have observed that Sir John Bennet Lawes and 
Professor Wrightson agreed in estimating a ton of feeding roots 
at 8/2 per ton. This was not put down as an arbitrary value but 
as an approximate figure as a basis of calculation, and we can, 
therelore, adopt it for our purpose. 
It is perfectly obvious that if roots are valued merely by their 
weight the two qualities of Mangel above cited will be of equal 
value, whereas if they are valued according to their intrinsic and 
real value they are worth 8/2 and 20/6 respectively. 
Similar illustrations could be given in respect to Swedes, 
Turnips, Carrots, and Kohl Rabi. 
THE SEED GROWER. 
Having applied ourselves to the analysis of the roots and 
discovered wherein their highest value consists, the next step 
we had to take as seed growers was to determine the best method 
of growing seed crops so as to perpetuate the qualities in the 
bulbous root. A seed grower has many lessons to learn, the 
majority of which can only be acquired by actual personal 
application and experience. 
It seems obvious to us that the function of a seed 
grower who rises to a sense of his responsibility, is not only to 
produce seed which in its turn will produce roots, but seed which 
will produce roots embodying all the best characteristics and 
possessing the fewest possible of the drawbacks which are brought 
to light by such investigations as we have in the foregoing lines 
placed before our readers ; and the problem we have had to 
solve has been how to do this in a practical and efficient manner. 
It may be urged that at present we have only demonstrated the 
great variations which exist in the different properties of the 
roots. We shall show that we have done this and more, for we 
have worked upon those variations in the roots which we have 
planted for the production of our seeds, and we have done so at 
the period of their growth, when their best characteristics are 
developed and become a part of the life of the root. 
The controlling- power over the qualities of the 
crops which lies in the hands of the seed grower is 
far greater than is generally supposed, and he can turn 
the forces of nature in different directions to suit his different 
objects. The seed grower’s duty is in fact to watch every tendency 
and disposition of plant life, exhibited differently under varying 
conditions, and to work on the principle of the survival of the 
fittest, for 'the purpose of attaining to those particular objects 
which he has before him at any given time. 
CARTERS’, 237, 238, & 97, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. --1901. 
