519 



the ends of the vines under treatment pointed ])latinum wires were inserted, to 

 which were attached copper wires leadinij; to thi* tops of tall ])ole8 near the vines; 

 at the base of these same Aaues other platinum wires were inserted and connected by 

 ^.oppcr wires with the soil. At the close of the experiment, which be<!;an April 15 

 and lasted till Sejjtember 10, the wood, leaves, and fruit of both sets of vines were 

 submitted to careful analysis with the following results [as regards the fruit] : 



AVitliout 

 conductor. 



Moisture 



Sugar 



Tartiirii' acid 



Bitartrato of potasli. 



Per cent. 

 78. 21 

 16. 86 

 0.88 

 0.18 



AVith 

 conductor. 



Per cent. 

 73.84 

 18.41 

 0. 7i)l 

 0.186 



Thus we see that the percentage of moisture and sugar is greater and the unde- 

 sirable acid lower in those grapes subject to electrical iuflueuces than in those left 

 to natural conditions. There are also experiments which prove the beneficial effects 

 of electricity on vines Attacked by Phylloxera. 



The following experiments were made at this stati»n : Several i)lats were prepared 

 in the greenhouse, all of which had the same kind of soil and were subjected to like 

 influences and conditions. Frames in the form of a parallelogram, about 3 by 2 feet, 

 were put together; across the narrow way were run copper wires iu series of four to 

 nine strands, each series separated by a space about 4 inches wide, and the strands 

 by a space of one half inch. These frames were buried in the soil of the plat at a 

 little depth, so that the roots of the garden plants set would come in contact with 

 the wires, the suppositic m being that the currents of electricity passing along the wires 

 would decomjiose into its constituents the plant food in the vicinity of the roots and 

 more readily prepare it for the plants. Two electric gardens were thus prepared 

 and each furnished with two common battery cells, so arranged as to allow contin- 

 uous currents to pass through each series of wires. Near each electric garden was a 

 plat prepared in the same manner, save the electrical apparatus. We will call the 

 two gardens A and B. 



The place chosen for the experiments was in a part of the greenhouse which is 

 given up largely to the raising of lettuce, and the gardens were located where much 

 trouble from mildew had been experienced. The reason for this choice of location 

 was to notice the effect, if any, of electricity upon mildew, this disease being, as is 

 well known, a source of much trouble to those who desire to grow early lettuce. 

 The soil was carefully prepared, the material being taken from a pile of loam com- 

 monly used iu the plant house. 



Garden A was located where mildew had been the most detrimental. The experi- 

 ments began the first of Jauuary and closed the first of April. For the garden fifteen 

 lettuce plants of the head variety were selected, all of the same size and of the same 

 degree of vitality, as nearly as could be determined ; the plants were set directly over 

 the wires, so that the roots were in contact with the latter; the i^lants were well 

 watered and cared for as ia ordinary culture, and the fluid in the battery cells was 

 renewed from time to time, that the current of electricity might not become too feeble. 

 At the close of the experiments the following results were noted: Five plants died 

 from mildew ; the others were Avell developed and the heads large. The largest heads 

 were over the greatest number of Avires and nearest the electrodes. It was further 

 noticed that the healthiest and largest plants, as soon as the current became feeljlo 

 or ceased altogether, began to be affected with mildew. On examining the roots of 

 the plants it was found that they had grown aliout the wires, as if there they found 

 the greatest amount of nourishment; tlie roots were healthy and in no Avay appeared 

 to have been injured by the current, but rather much benefited by the electrical 

 influences. 



