54 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1891. 



than they did just around the corner of the building, where they 

 did not get the direct rays of the light. Perhaps you, who reside 

 near the electric lights in this city, may have made similar obser- 

 vations. 



I know of only one person who has actually tried the experi- 

 ment of growing lettuce under electric light, and that is that 

 enterprising Arlington market gardener, W. W. Rawson, whom 

 you well know. It was about two years ago, I think, that he 

 began the experiment. He was then confident that the light 

 would be of sufiicieut advantage to pay the extra cost. Desiring 

 to learn further about his experiment, I wrote him a short time 

 ago, inclosing a list of questions and leaving blank spaces for him 

 to fill with brief answers. To me these answers are exceedingly 

 interesting, for they more than confirm my most sanguine expec- 

 tations, at least, so far as pecuniary results are concerned. 



Here are my questions and the answers given by Mr. Rawson : 



1. How many seasons have you used electric light in lettuce 

 growing ? One. 



2. How many hours each night ? Until 1 o'clock. 



3. Number of lights in each house ? One arc light outside. 



4. What kind ; arc or incandescent ? Arc. 



5. Candle power of each ? 2,000 ; total power. 



6. Number of houses lighted ? One. 



7. Size of each house ? 200 by 24. 



8. Cost of the lights ? $15 per month. 



9. How much time is saved in growing a crop in the short 

 days of December and January? 20 per cent. 



10. Does the light improve the healthfulness and quality of 

 the lettuce ? It does. 



11. Is the pecuniary advantage enough, on the whole, to pay 

 the extra cost ? It is. 



Accompanying the above answers, Mr. Rawson sent the fol- 

 lowing letter : — 



Boston, Mass., Jan. 3, 1891. 

 Mb. S. H. Record. 



Dear Sir. — I have answered your questions and I should have 

 had the lights this season if I could get them, but the Company 

 have sold all their power, and I wanted three large lights, 2,000 



