AND HORTICULTURE. 9 
site ones. A closer scrutiny shows that a favourable result 
is obtained every time the experiments are executed with 
artificial electricity—namely, with a machine. Exception 
shows only one case in which negative electricity was 
employed. The experiments have never been executed on 
a large scale, because the method was not convenient. In 
the case when the method was intended to spread the 
electricity over a larger field its application seemed to 
present much difficulty. 
The cause of the contradictory results has been searched 
for under conditions of only occasional occurrence—for 
instance, difference in soil, different illumination, &c. 
Without denying that such circumstances can exercise a 
very great influence, my more recent experience has shown 
that these contradictions can be explained without refer- 
ence to chance. Consideration of all the evidence I have 
obtained shows so decidedly that electricity exercised a 
favourable influence on the growing plants that I found a 
new examination of the question necessary. 
My first experiments, the aim of which was to test the 
usefulness of the method, were carried out in the physical 
laboratory of the University of Helsingfors. Omitting 
a number of experiments, the results of which only 
encouraged me to continue further, I will enumerate the 
first definite experiments made, from the beginning of May 
to June 24, 1885 :— 
(1) Before a window looking to the south three small 
compartments of cardboard were constructed, and on a 
table within were placed two flower-pots in each compart- 
ment. In these pots were sown barley, wheat and rye— 
four grains of each sort. The grains of every kind were 
of the same weight and appearance. Over the pots was 
hung a net of wires provided with points, separated from 
each other and insulated. The soil in the pots was connected 
with the earth by tinfoil in such manner that, when we 
call the compartments I, II, IIL, the electric current from 
