UPON ELECTRICAL STIMULI GENERALLY 49 



After eighteen days — 



A Total gain in height equalled 7|-inches. 

 B M 91 >» 3-inches. 



C „ „ „ 8J-inches. 



Note. — The tallest blade of C, fell and required 

 support. 



After thirty-three days — 



A Total gain in height equalled 8|-inches. 

 B „ „ „ 5|-inches. 



C „ „ „ lOf-inches. 



Note. — C, had apparently recovered from the effect 

 of the disconnection and was making up for 

 lost time. 



Final observation was taken forty-five days after potting 

 and the result was — 



A Total gain in height equalled 9-inches. 

 B „ „ ,i 6-inches. 



C „ „ „ 12|-inches. 



From the foregoing it would appear at first sight that 

 electrification, as applied in this instance, had had a bene- 

 ficial effect upon growth. But in reality it was far from 

 beneficial. What it did was to force abundant, hair-like 

 growth and inhibit root production. Upon examination 

 of the roots I found — 



A Roots in dense white bands, filling the pot and 



protruding from the bottom. 

 B Similar to A, but not quite as advanced. 

 C Hair-like and so few in number that they were 

 scarcely perceptible. 

 Some explanation of the carbon will no doubt be expected. 

 Arc carbon when treated to increase its density — in the 

 course of which treatment it is subjected to molecular 

 disturbance — gives out a positive force which is clearly not 

 electricity but which may be said to resemble it. The 

 object of emplojdng it in these experiments was to increase 

 the potential of the positive charge from air to soil. 



The foregoing test of grasses confirmed the view I held 

 that electrical intensification should not greatly exceed 



