for the year 1882. xxv 



can scarcely be foretold, but already it is shown to be econo- 

 mical and eminently effective in all these directions, and is 

 now used both in England and Germany for depositing metals 

 from their solutions and refining copper and other metals. 

 Dr. Siemens, in his address to the British Association in 

 August, stated that as a transmitter of power for farm work 

 he can, " after two years' experience, speak with confidence of 

 its economy and efficiency." Dr. Siemens also mentions an 

 interesting fact concerning the influence of the electric light 

 on vegetation. He had wheat, barley, and oats planted, some 

 of which was submitted to the influence of the electric arc 

 light of 4000 candles placed about 20 feet above the surface of 

 the ground. No difference was observed till mild weather 

 set in after the end of February, when those cereals over 

 which the electric light shone developed so rapidly that by 

 the " end of May they stood 4 feet high and in full bloom, 

 while the others stood 2 feet high and showed no sign of the 

 ear. 



For all the advance of electric lighting, I still believe that 

 " gas" will remain in the ascendant, not altogether as an 

 illuminant, but certainly as a fuel. Already it is extensively 

 used as fuel for steam engines in town, not only for safety and 

 cleanliness, but also for economy ; and as time goes on its use 

 in this direction will, I feel sure, greatly increase ; and it is 

 devoutly to be desired that it should do so, for not the least 

 good practical result from its universal adoption would be 

 having only one, or at least a few, smoke-producing centres 

 instead of a legion. Hygiene and aesthetics should both 

 clamour for this. Gas, moreover, is fast asserting itself as a 

 fuel for our cooking stoves and kitchens, and although there 

 is still a lurking prejudice against gas-cooked food in some 

 quarters, the exhaustive trials at the Glasgow Gas Fuel Ex- 

 hibition show conclusively that a properly constructed and 

 ventilated gas stove will cook food better and freer from 

 foreign and undesirable products than nine-tenths of the 

 coal-cooking ranges. As an economical, easily transmitted, 

 and safe fuel, gas has, I think, its greatest future before it. 



