ELECTRIC POWER FOR THE FARMER. 



which ordinarily germinate in four days, after being electrically accelerated, 

 germinated in two and a half days. In the same way, haricot seeds ger- 

 minated in three days rather than five, and barley in two days rather than 

 five. The methods by which this acceleration has been accomplished have 

 not been thoroughly elucidated; indeed, it is a very complex matter. The 

 action of electricity decomposes certain of the salts contained in the soil, 

 forming others which can be assimilated by the plants more readily. Further- 

 more, it invigorates the growth by increasing the vitality and bringing about 

 better exchange of gases between the leaves and the atmosphere. Thus, 

 respiration, most necessary to plant health, is promoted. The electricity 

 fixes the carbon in the structure of plants and aids nutrition, with a resultant 

 multiplication of cells. More than this, the circulation of sap is influenced 

 and thus forces the nutritive juices into the capillary vessels in the tissue 

 of the leaf. Plants will be materially strengthened and benefited by the ap- 

 plication of electricity when its use in this direction is worked out. 



In the meantime, one should not imagine that so employing electricity 

 will allow one to neglect tilling and cultivating the soil. That must always 

 be done, but by the use of hydro-electric energy for motive power, it can be 

 done more easily and cheaply than at present. 



California farmers can have all these advantages in using electricity, 

 with the added advantage that here the generation of electricity is cheaper 

 due to natural facilities. In Kane County, electrical energy is generated 

 by dynamos, and hence is transferred from steam power to electric power 

 and back into motive power. In this State we have the incalculable 

 resources of the Sierra streams in which about half a million horse-power 

 has already been located and 150,000 horse-power developed, with 70,000 

 under process. Hence, in California the only expenses to which the ven- 

 ders of electrical energy are put is in the initial cost of locating the site, 

 putting up the plant and the cost of maintenance. There are now locali- 

 ties in California where horse-power is sold as low as 2 cents per hour. 



One enterprising dairyman located near Santa Cruz has realized the 

 profits to be made with a hydro-electric plant. Some years ago he in- 

 stalled one at a heavy cost, and has more than paid all expenses of instal- 

 lation and maintenance. A 1,000,000 gallon reservoir was built for im- 

 pounding part of the water flow from an adjacent creek. On reaching 

 the dairy the stream attains a head of 216 feet and operates incandes- 

 cent and arc lights in and about the dairy buildings. There are also motors 

 driving the hay-cutter, pumpkin grinder, cream operator, and machine 

 shops. This extensive plant, a model of its kind, was installed under an 

 indebtedness amounting to $31 per acre, not reckoning interest. This 

 debt has been paid from the profits of the dairy, and the owner thereof 

 now advertises his prosperity and the success of his enterprise by making 

 his trips to town in an automobile. 



The benefits to come from the introduction of hydro-electric motive 

 power into farm work are apparent. California farmers, fruit men, and 

 dairymen will profit by it. Surely, no agriculturist who sees the savings 

 in time and money he can make by so doing, will hesitate to install an 

 electric motor upon his farm. 



A hand-book on "Poultry Raising" has just been published by the Cali- 

 fornia Promotion Committee. It has been compiled from expert authority 

 and contains much valuable information upon the subject. Thousands of 

 these pamphlets will be sent throughout the State and all over the world. 

 They are neatly gotten up, of convenient size and well printed. The price 

 is five cents. 



