24 
Bulletin 58. 
of air as much as possible. In 1897 the loss in the first 12 days 
varied from 30 to 33 per cent, of the original weight of the beets; 
in 1898 we obtain 29.00 per cent, loss, and after the first seven days 
the daily loss is roughly 2 per cent. 
As but few samples received from different parts of the State 
were analyzed sooner than five days after being harvested, the de¬ 
duction of one and one half per cent, on account of drying out is 
quite within reasonable limits, as according to the most favorable 
results obtained by experiment, a deduction of upwards of 2 per 
cent, would be allowable. Our own samples were analyzed within 
24 hours after being taken and lost less, and tend to correct the 
error and justify us in taking the lower figure, 1.5 per cent. 
§ 36. The importance of this is apparent if we consider the 
effect of it in stating the average percentage of sugar in the crop of 
1898. We have 813 samples of this crop and the average of the 
analyses as made is 15.12 per cent., but allowing for the drying out 
by deducting 1.5 per cent., we have 13.62 per cent, as the average, 
which I believe is the nearest approach to the truth that we can 
make. 
§ 37. The records of this department show that the average of 
all samples recorded from 1888 to 1896 inclusive, is 12.8 per cent., 
according to which the crop of 1898 was above the average. 
§ 38. It should be remembered that the question of drying 
out is of much greater importance in considering small samples 
sent to the Station than it would be in samples taken from car-load 
lots sent to a factory. The factory sample would be likely to be 
nearer correct than the sample sent to some chemical laboratory to 
be tested. 
COEFFICIENT OF PURITY. 
§ 39. In connection with the last question, that of the coefficient 
of purity is of some importance, not as to what extent it is effected 
by the drying out, but as to how near the truth the ordinary de¬ 
termination comes. Two series of experiments were made, five 
with Vilmorin and six with Kleinwanzlebener. These beets ranged 
in sugar from 9 to 14 per cent., and the coefficient obtained by evap¬ 
orating to dryness to determine the total solids was sometimes higher 
and again lower than that found by the ordinary method, but the 
average of the five determinations made with the Vilmorin was the 
same and that with the six Kleinwanzlebener samples differed by 
0.2 per cent. The average obtained as ordinarily determined being 
higher by this small amount. 
