- 231 



and thus he could soon get some idea of the cost. The Agricul- 

 tural Electric Discharge Co. would possess all necessary data on 

 these points. From my own experience I am satisfied that an ap- 

 paratus for greenhouse work, in which the electricity is supplied 

 from a continuously running influence machine, could be installed 

 at a cost of some 50 ; but the other and more satisfactory method, 

 which is the only one which at present seems to admit of deve- 

 lopment upon a large scale, would cost considerably more, perhaps 

 some 200 to 300. When once installed the. cost of running re- 

 solves itself practically into a question of the cost of working an 

 ordinary gas or oil motor, with an occasional need for resting or 

 replacing an overstrained electric valve ". 



RESULTS OF LARGE-SCALE ELECTRO-CULTURE 



EXPERIMENTAL TRIALS. 



Bitton, 1905. 



(Electricity from an influence machine). 



Cucumbers. Increase 17 per cent. 



Strawberries (5 year plants). Increase 36 p. cent, (i year plants) 

 80 per cent, (and many more runners produced). 



Broadbeans. Decrease 15 percent. Acceleration some 5 days. 



Cabbages (not weighed). Acceleration 10 days. 



Celery, Increase 2 per cent. Wires used as discharge points 

 not fine enough. 



Tomatoes. No difference. 



Gloucester, 1905. 



(Electricity from an influence machine). 



Beets. Increase 33 per cent. 

 Carrots. Increase 50 p. cent. 



Both electrified and control areas 

 watered in dry weather. 



Evesham, 1906. 



(High-tension Electricity from Coil and Valves et*c.). 



Wheat Canadian Red Fife. Increase 39 per cent. 

 English Red Queen. Increase 29 per cent. 

 Barley (a very irregular crop, owing probably to previous treat- 

 ment of field). Increase 5 per cent. 



Evesham, 1907. 



Wheat Red Fife. Electrified 41.4 bushels per acre; control 

 32.0 bushels per acre. Increase 29 per cent. 



