The young plants in the two rows were protected by a little straw
during the winter, and those in the two large pots were placed in the
greenhouse.
There was no difference between the two lots in the pots until the
ensuing spring, when they had grown a little, and then some of the
crossed plants were finer and taller than any of the self-fertilised.
When in full flower their stems were measured, and the measurements are
given in Table 6/96.
TABLE 6/96. Beta vulgaris.
Heights of flower stems measured in inches.
Column 1: Number (Name) of Pot.
Column 2: Crossed Plants.
Column 3: Self-fertilised Plants.
Pot 1 : 34 6/8 : 36.
Pot 1 : 30 : 20 1/8.
Pot 1 : 33 6/8 : 32 2/8.
Pot 1 : 34 4/8 : 32.
Pot 2 : 42 3/8 : 42 1/8.
Pot 2 : 33 1/8 : 26 4/8.
Pot 2 : 31 2/8 : 29 2/8.
Pot 2 : 33 : 20 2/8.
Total : 272.75 : 238.50.
The average height of the eight crossed plants is here 34.09, and that
of the eight self-fertilised plants 29.81; or as 100 to 87.
With respect to the plants in the open ground, each long row was divided
into half, so as to diminish the chance of any accidental advantage in
one part of either row; and the four tallest plants in the two halves of
the two rows were carefully selected and measured. The eight tallest
crossed plants averaged 30.92, and the eight tallest self-fertilised
30.7 inches in height, or as 100 to 99; so that they were practically
equal.
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