Sugar Beets. 
29 
If from the preceding table we take the average of all the samples in 
which the individual beets exceed two pounds, and compare it with 
the average of all those in which the beets weighed less than one 
pound, we find a difference of 1.5 per cent, sugar in favor of the 
small beets, which is actually a greater difference than is shown 
between the largest and smallest beets in any single experiment in 
the series. In order to make this comparison, we must take beets 
grown side by side, which we have endeavored to do, finding as 
the result of the eight experiments recorded in the last table, that 
beets weighing about one half pound contained, as compared with 
beets weighing upwards of two pounds, in one case more than 1 
per cent, more sugar, in two cases more sugar by 0.67 per cent., in 
one case more by 0.19 per cent., and in one case less by 0.19 per 
cent. Of four varieties experimented with, the maximum difference 
shown by three of them in favor of the small beets is 0.67 per cent., 
while the fourth shows a difference of a little more than 1 per cent. 
§ 49. The second table given under this subject, being the 
results obtained from an experiment with beets of very large size, 
and grown at or near the edge of the patch, with a constant and 
abundant water supply, suggested an explanation for the general 
impression that large beets are poor beets. Excessively large sugar 
beets, 8 to 10 pounds or upwards, are unusual. Such beets are 
grown under such conditions as above given, at the edge of a patch 
with abundant water and plant food, or where they stand alone. 
I have analyzed Kleinwanzlebener beets grown in this manner that 
were very poor, showing less than half as much sugar as the average 
of the patch. In other words, very large size and low quality are 
associated with an almost unlimited feeding ground and abundance 
of water. There was a single row of beets on the Farm which had 
practically been grown under these conditions, except that the beets 
were thick in the row. There were three varieties: Vilmorin, 
White French and White Imperial. Samples of each of the 
varieties were taken by digging a piece of the row and sorting the 
beets into different lots, according to size. 
