94 ELECTRO-CULTURE. - 
conclusions arrived at from the foregoing experiments may 
be summed up as follows :— 
1. That under the influence of the electric discharge the 
ingredients of the soil necessary to plant growth are 
rendered more soluble, therefore more easy of assimi- 
lation. 
2. That by aid of the electric current sap is enabled to flow 
more vigorously and the formation of sugar and starch 
is increased. 
3. Respiration, absorption, and evaporation is accelerated, 
and that by increased chemical activity in the plant its 
whole fabric is improved. 
In conjunction with these experiments at Lincluden 
Mains, laboratory research work of a most elaborate and 
technical nature is being carried on, to determine with the 
greatest accuracy the exact physiological processes which 
take place in the plants while subjected to electrical influence; 
on this subject the figures already obtained are not at the 
present time available, but when they are it is confidently 
believed that results of far-reaching importance will be forth- 
coming. 
As must necessarily be the case in all scientific research, 
the cost of the experimental installation is excessive, but 
when conelusions are arrived at and details worked out as 
to the most practical means of applying the electric current, 
there is no reason to doubt that the apparatus required and 
its method of working will come well within the means of 
any practical farmer, requiring little technical knowledge to 
work, and that, in comparison with the increase in crop 
derived from its use, it will repay with interest the outlay 
entailed. 
In conclusion, a few remarks on the application of 
electric light to plant growth may be of interest from the 
fact that, from investigations made in that direction, develop- 
ments may result which would prove of inestimable value to 
the market gardener. 
Extensive experiments have already been made from 
time to time showing that in the absence of sunshine during 
the winter months seeds may be germinated and seedlings 
