180 



GERMINATION 



The feed wire in both splits at the shell end of the stalk 

 into two and the Peas and Beans are carried alternately 

 upon each. Notice particularly the leaves of vegetables, 

 bearing in mind the fact that the greater number, especially 

 in parallel, call for a thick conductor, or feed wire, to supply 

 their needs. 



Compare the sectional area of the stalks, having regard 

 to the size of the plant, in all three modes of connection, 

 and take a new interest in vegetable life ; a phase of it 

 upon which botany has, hitherto, been silent. 



And now I am going to tell you something more. Every 

 plant and fruit, flower and leaf of that plant, is a self-con- 

 tained electrical cell, having positive and negative terminals 

 like every other cell. They differ, however, from cells 

 made by man in one important respect. 



Two types of cells with which most people are familiar 

 are the " Dry " and the " Leclanche." If these are kept 

 in continuous use for an hour or so they become what is 

 called " polarised," or in other words " used up." Not so 

 with the vegetable cell. We will take two : an Apple 

 and an Onion. 



/hj///ye ferm/na/ 



/fj}erAfA'i>» 



/y^./2^ 



Apple — in Section. 



While the Apple remains upon the tree the stalk and 

 core — which latter is insulated from the edible portion of 

 the fruit — are negatively charged by the earth, while the 

 flower end is open to the positive air. After it falls, or is 



