146 Br Fyfe*s Experiments on Electro- Culture. 



contact with the brass plate at top. Not the slightest diver- 

 gence of the leaves was observed. The connexion of the 

 wire was then changed, and the result was the same. This 

 experiment was repeated several times on different days, dur- 

 ing different states of the atmosphere, and in various ways, 

 and always with the same result. 



In a letter published by Dr Foster, in the Farmer's Mis- 

 cellany, in reply to one containing some remarks on his elec- 

 tro-culture experiments, he states, that the approach of a 

 magnetic needle to the wire, as erected by him, shewed that 

 there was an electric current along it, the poles of the needle 

 being attracted and repelled according as they were brought 

 near the different parts of the wire. I have repeated these 

 experiments, as stated by Dr Foster, but I never found that 

 a magnetic needle was in the slightest degree affected by 

 approach to the wire — neither being attracted nor repel' ed 

 by any part of it ; nor did I find that when the needle was 

 placed near the wire, and the chain of communication was 

 broken, which I could do by the mercurial cup which was 

 placed for the other experiments, that there was the slight- 

 est movement either in one direction or the other. 



I may here state that, in conducting these trials, to ascer- 

 tain whether there was any electric current along the wire, 

 I had the advice and assistance of scientific gentlemen who 

 took an interest in them, so that the results recorded are 

 from their observations as well as from my own, which gives 

 an additional security for the faithfulness of the statements. 



While engaged in conducting the experiments now re- 

 corded, I was at the same time occupied in carrying on others, 

 with the view of ascertaining whether, by other means, as 

 by galvanic electricity, vegetation could be promoted. 



I am aware that several statements have been given of 

 the results of trials made with this electric agent, but unfor- 

 tunately these statements are very contradictory ; and it is 

 much to be regretted, that, while some have allowed that it 

 has a beneficial influence, and others that it has not, the re- 

 sults have not been given with that degree of minuteness 

 that would enable us to judge as to the effects ; as in all 

 that T have seen recorded there is simply an assertion, either 



