1906] 



LANDRETH— THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 173 



fact, as a matter of economy of application, both fungicides and 

 insecticides often can profitably be mixed and the plants treated by 

 one operation. All designs and sizes of apparatus for the application 

 of insecticides and fungicides are now made ranging from the small 

 air gun to cumbrous four-horse trucks carrying tanks and powerful 

 pumps and requiring the attention of several men — some forms of 

 dust spraying apparatus being made for hillside use, where it would 

 not be practical to haul great weights of water. 



The electric light as a forcing agent is used to advantage in 

 stimulating the growth of vegetables and flowers. Some market 

 gardeners in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., finding that its use pays 

 them a profit by influencing a never-ceasing growth of lettuce, rad- 

 ish, cucumber and some other table vegetables, the plants not being 

 allowed any rest day or night, but kept under a continuous activity 

 which in the end amounts to about a ten per cent, shortening or 

 hastening of the period of maturity, that is to say, plants which 

 under ordinary circumstances would take thirty days to arrive at 

 marketable condition, will under the electric light process be fit for 

 market in twenty-seven days, which earlier maturity results in a 

 profit, and allows space and time for an additional crop in the year's 

 series. 



These Boston men also apply continuous currents of electricity 

 passing from end to end of plant beds in their glass houses, which 

 is found to have a stimulating effect on the productivity of the soil. 

 They have successfully accomplished what many others have failed 

 to do. Even as far back as 1866 electric stimulation of the soil was 

 tried most extensively and expensively. In that year I visited Tipp- 

 tree Hall, the estate of Alderman Mechi of London, where were 

 conducted most extensive electric experiments on field crops cov- 

 ering broad areas, but the so-called electric experts of that day 

 failed entirely, although Mr. Mechi was lavish in his expenditures. 



Nitroculture while several years pursued may be classed as one 

 of the novelties in agriculture practice. 



Ages ago the ancients w^ere aware that certain plants increased 

 the fertility of the soil, as for example clover, beans, vetches, and 

 other legumes, but the most intelligent did not know why, simply 



