Electricity and Plant Life 



By John Tyrone Kelly, New York. 



Developing the well-known economical principle that The mots were then washed and weighed, with this 



the stability of a nation is largely dependent on the ability result : 



of its soil to support its population, there seems to be Electrified, average for 25 plants... .468 ounces each 



an almost imperative duty that our agricultrists prin- Non-electrified, average for 23 plants .098 ounces each 



cipally follow up the successes of certain experiments This was a gain of'403 per cent, in the average size 



in the electric stimulation of plant growth. Authori- of the edible portion of the plant. 



ties agree that intensive cultivation is one of the most On the Moraine Farm, Dr. Dorsey applied to small 



fruitful methods of increasing the one agricultural out- green house beds for an hour, night and morning daily, 



put of the soil. an alternating current of 200,0C)0 cycles frequency, at 



While results to date are quite convincing, the field 10,000 volts from a Tesla machine and transformer, 



of Electro Culture, both in Europe and the United consuming about 130 watts. He used a net work of 



States has not yet definitely prescribed what applica- .01-wire at a height of fifteen inches about the bed. 



tion of electric energy is best suited \'<v the separate He found by weighing various plants a market gain 



seeds of grains, fruits, vegetables and Howers. As a amounting to 7.S per cent, for lettuce. The experiment 



general proposition, however, whether electricity is showed that this method gave better results than illu- 



applied by electric light or directly to the soil, aston- niination or earth currents. Almost all the irradiated 



ishing stimulation in plant life has been shown. plants, including radishes, lettuce, beets, cabbages, 



In the United States Dr. Herbert G. Dorsey on the cucumbers, turnips, melons, tomatoes and parsnips, 



Moraine Fann in the fertile valley of the Miami River, gave a better growth than those not electrically treated, 



near Dayton, and W . D. Peaslee, in the West, have Beans and peas were only alifected slightly, but on the 



proved that various applications of electricity have other plants maturity was reached at least two weeks 



accelerated plant growth. liesides the numerous ex- earlier than those not on the electrified ground. To- 



perimenters in Germany, Professor Lemstrom of Hel- bacco shows a 20 per cent. gain. 



singfors University. Finland, has shown that crops are Miss E. C. Dudgeon, of Lincluden House, Dum- 



stimulated by a discharge of electricity through the air fries, England, reports experimental work in accelerat- 



to the soil, which method is founded on theory and ing plant growth ])y mercury vapor lamps. Under 



most promising in practice. As a result of his experi- the influence of the lamp germinating several days and 



ences. Professor Lemstrom concludes that the mini- in some cases several weeks, before those sown and 



mum increase yield for all crops under the proper grown under precisely similar conditions but not under 



electrified conditions should be about 45 per cent.; electric influence. The following tal)le shows the pe- 



for certain crops it may rise as high as 100 per cent, riod of germination: 



The effects of electricity are not apparent alone in " Electric Lani]). Gain Electrified, 



quantity but an impro\ement of quality and a shorten- Davs. Davs. 



ing of the period of growth, sometimes l.)_\- 50 per cent., French beans 1.3 21 



is general. Carrots ..... .^ ^ ^ ^ . 11 26 



Experiments by Mr. Peaslee were undertaken to es- Cauliflower 6 26 



tablish the result of a current passing tlirough soil con- Maize 8 ^7 



taining seeds or roots of plants. These w-ere based on Lettuce 6 12 



the theory that any results that might be obtained Peas .... 6 1(> 



would be due to an enrichment of the soil in nitro- Oats 7 12 



geneous compounds necessary to plant life by the Ilarlev 7 1 ' 



chemical action of the current. Seeds were planted in Wheat 8 16 



boxes containing earth from the same mixer and were / / i ,i . n , , i j 



kept under identkal conditions as to temperature, water ^ ^iss Dudgeon sta ed that all plan s responded sat.s- 

 ap plied, etc., except that some were subjected to the f^^^tonly to the light treatment, besides the seeds, selec- 

 influence of direct electric currents through the soil tions ot geraniums, ro.ses carnations and heliotrope were 

 while others, used for comparison, were allowed to Pl^ced m an electrically lighted experimental house and 

 grow in the usual wav. These tests were carried on all showed a marked increase m variety of flowers and 

 in a greenhouse and 'were continued until the non- .§ood size color and shape. The rose tree Belle Lyon- 

 electrified plants were readv for transplanting. It was "aise, which had flovvers of a previous summer and 

 noted that the electrified plants, after transplanting, autumn was pruned in November as bare as a vine. Jn 

 were hardier and grew faster than the non-electrified, two weeks it showed leaf, m six weeks buds,_and it con- 

 In the radish bed, for instance, where the test was tinned to bloom tor months following. Strawberries 

 continued until the electrified plants were of market- flowered abundantlN- an<l the fruit ripened early. \t was 

 able size twelve average sized plants were compared proved that there was an increase in the crop ot 2d per 

 with the twelve largest taken from the non-electrified cent. The lamps were put on about an hour before sun- 

 bed None of the non-electrified plants were of mar- set and kept on for about four and a half hours. The 

 ketable size while the electrified plants were. One plants were placed f)n a shelf about four feet from the 

 was one and a half inches in diameter and of fine flavor, lamps. The radiation extended over the whole bed. I he 

 Tons were cut and the two beds weighed, the results best results. Miss Dudgeon reports, were those obtained 

 beiu"- as follows:— within an eiglit feet radius of the lamp. -As the radiation 

 '^ ' _c became less, the growth was less, as could verv easilv be 

 Electrified (>.75 ounces ^^^^^ ,^^. ^ ^,.^^^^^, '^^^^^^^ ^^.^^ ^^^ l^^^l, 



Non-electrihed .■>.! The amount of evidence of the numerous experi- 



ments indicates that under the mildly advantageous 



Gain, electrified.... 3.65 ounces, or 111% {Continued on page SW.) 



