260 THE SCIENTIFIC PAPERS OF 



percentage of power actually received at the distant station, but 

 in trying the same machines under similar circumstances of 

 resistance with the aid of dynamometers as much as 60 per cent, 

 has been realised. 



In conclusion, I have pleasure to state that the working of the 

 electric light and transmission of power for the various operations 

 just named are entirely under the charge of my head gardener, 

 Mr. Buchanan, assisted by the ordinary staff of under-gardeners 

 ' and field labourers, who probably never before heard of the power 

 of electricity. Electric transmission of power may eventually be 

 applied also to thrashing, reaping, and ploughing. These objects 

 are at the present time accomplished to a large extent by means 

 of portable steam engines, a class of engine which has attained a 

 high degree of perfection, but the electric motor presents the 

 great advantage of lightness, its weight per horse-power being 

 only 2 cwt., while the weight of a portable engine with its boiler 

 filled with water may be taken at la cwt. per horse-power. 

 Moreover, the portable engine requires a continuous supply of 

 water and fuel, and involves skilled labour in the field, while the 

 electrical engine receives its food through the wire (or a light rail 

 upon which it may be made to move about) from the central 

 station, where power can be produced at a cheaper rate of expendi- 

 ture for fuel and labour than in the field. The use of secondary 

 batteries may also be resorted to with advantage to store electrical 

 energy when it cannot be utilised. In thus accomplishing the 

 work of a farm from a central power station, considerable savings 

 of plant and labour may be effected : the engine power will be 

 chiefly required for day-work, and its night-work, for the purposes 

 of electro-horticulture, will be a secondary utilisation of the 

 establishment involving little extra expense. At the same time 

 the means are provided of lighting the hall and shrubberies in 

 the most perfect manner, and of producing effects in landscape 

 gardening that are strikingly beautiful. 



