was applied. At no time were there any dead leaves on this plat and the foliage remained green, not wilting as on the other plats. The weather since October 15 has varied from hot to cold with irregular rains, and has not been of a nature to hasten the maturing of the beets. Plats 3 and 4 are on somewhat lower ground than the others, and seem to be making a new growth. Two check rows are left between each plat. YIELD AND CHARACTER OF BEETS HARVESTED. A sample from plat No. 2 only was forwarded under date of October 28, accompanied by the following comments: The weather the past week has been favorable to the maturing of the beets. There have been three killing frosts, and the days, while clear, have been moderate in temperature, the maximum being about 57°. The beets in all the plats show an increase in sugar, plat No. 1 leading with 16 per cent of sugar in the juice. Other conditions remain about the same as when the last report was made. Under date of November 14, the following report was made on the samples shipped on November 6 and 11: The beets during the past week have shown such an increase in sugar content that it seemed wise to send a sample from each of the plats, which was done on November 11. Until the past three or four days we have had no severe weather, but I think the beets have reached their maximum development. I inclose a weather summary for the period covering the experiment. The amount of sunshine per day is of course estimated and can not be considered as exact. I have figured the sunshine from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. during the entire period. It is probable that the average would not be far from this figure. On November 26 the final report was made, as follows: On November 18 a sample of beets was taken and the results were such that it seemed useless to continue the work any longer. In calculating the yield of beets this year it seems fair to base it upon the average of the samples taken from the different plats on November 4, 10, and 18. On this basis my estimate is as follows: Plat No. 1, 12.8 tons per acre; No. 2, 10.5 tons; No. 3, 11.3 tons; No. 4, 8.5 tons, and No. 5, 12.5 tons per acre. It will of course be remembered in using these figures that on plats 1 and 2 the rows were 18 inches apart while on Nos. 3, 4, and 5 they were 22 inches apart. The illustrations (Plate I) show 10 beets from the experimental plat sampled on November 10, and also 10 of the imperfect beets, showing the tendency to multiplicity of roots manifested at the Indiana station during the past two years. These beets averaged 7.5 ounces in weight before capping and 6.4 ounces afterwards; there was 16.8 per cent of sugar in the juice and a purity of 83.6. ANALYTICAL AND AGRICULTURAL DATA. The analytical and agricultural data determined both at the Bureau of Chemistry and at the station are given in the following tables: Agriculturel and analytical data on beets grown at Lafayette, Ind., and forwarded to Wash a Data determined on 25 beets shipped to Bureau of Chemistry for analysis. b Based on samples harvested November 4, 11, and 18. No. 2 is the experimental plat proper, and the average determined for the two unfertilized plats is used in making the graphic chart. Averages of agriculture data reported by the Indiana Station, 1904. Average yields of fertilized and unfertilized plats" as reported by the station. a Plats 1 and 2, rows 18 inches apart; plats 3, 4, and 5, 22 inches apart. Analytical data determined at the Indiana Station, comparing fertilized and unfertilized Date of sampling. Sugar Purity Sugar Purity Sugar Purity Sugar Purity Sugar Purity in coeffijuice. cient. in juice. coeffi- in juice. coeffi- in coeffijuice. cient. in coeffijuice. cient. Average analytical data for fertilized and unfertilized plats, as determined at the Indiana Full details of the cultural data at the Indiana Station are given in the report of the special agent in charge. The average yield of the unfertilized plats was low, namely, 8.3 tons per acre. The yield of the fertilized plats was higher, 11 tons, but not so large as should be obtained. The percentage of sugar in the beets was very high, both from the fertilized and unfertilized plats, and the purity was exceptionally high. The data used in platting the results of the work were obtained on plats Nos. 2 and 4. The analytical data obtained at the Bureau of Chemistry compare very closely with those obtained at the Indiana Station, with the exception of the coefficients of purity. Uniformly, the results for purity obtained at Lafayette have been higher than those found at the Bureau of Chemistry, and this difference has not as yet been satisfactorily explained. METEOROLOGICAL DATA. The meteorological data indicate a favorable environment in so far as the temperature is concerned, for the production of a beet with a high content of sugar. The average temperature of the months from May to July, inclusive, is 67.8° F., and from August to October, 62.8°; from June to August, 70.7°; the mean temperature for the six months being 65.3°. The precipitation at the Indiana station was well distributed for the proper growth and maturity of the beet, except during the month of September, when the rainfall was excessive. A very dry October, however, counteracted this excess, and thus brought the crop to a very fair maturity. In general, the meteorological data for the Indiana station for 1904 must be regarded as extremely favorable and apparently should have produced a larger yield per acre than was secured. THE NEW YORK STATION (GENEVA). At the Geneva Station one-eighth of an acre was sown for the cooperative work on June 11, 20 inches between the rows, thinned on July 9 so as to leave the plants from 8 to 10 inches apart, and harvested on November 8. No samples were sent to the Bureau of Chemistry for analysis, but the following data were obtained at the station at the time of harvest: Agricultural data: Weight of 50 beets... Weight of 50 beets capped.. Yield per acre. Analytical data: Sugar in juice. Sugar in beet.. - pounds.. 56.3 .do.... 45.0 .tons.. 19.0 - per cent.. 17.0 .do.... 13. 7 83.7 About 250 analyses of individual beets selected by the appearance of the tops before digging gave a sugar content of 17.7 per cent, while about 300 such analyses of beets selected at the same time from the appearance of the roots gave a sugar content of 18.1 per cent. The beets grew very vigorously, holding their leaves until the harNo leaf spot or other diseases appeared. The meteorological data obtainable for Geneva are as follows: vest. |