50 ELECTRICITY IN AGRICULTURE 
these samples had to undergo treatment in a separator 
constructed for the purpose.* 
The rye was thus divided into three qualities—1st, 2nd 
and 3rd quality—and each had a weight of 1,000 grains. 
Barley and oats were only in ist and 2nd qualities. 
The operation was as follows: The corn from the control 
field was at first separated, the threads of the spiral having 
been disposed of at a convenient distance from each other. 
Then the corn from the experimental field was separated, 
the distance between the threads of the spiral being the 
same. 
Rye. 
From the field sown in the autumn of 1902 squares 
were taken for the experimental field as well as for the 
control field. The harvest, calculated by the hectare 
(2°47 acres) was :— 
: Ist Quality. | 2nd Quality. | 3rd Quality. 
=—- | Crop | Straw Weight Weight Weight 
kg. kg. Per jof1,000} Per jof 1,000] Per jof1,000 
u cent. | grains | cent. | grains | cent. | grains 
in g. in g. in g. 
Exp. field...! 1,917 | 5,583 | 47°6 | 28°85 | 27°8 | 22°03 | 24°5 | 16°38 
Control field 1,604 | 4,646 | 38°3 | 27°04 | 32°5 | 21°72 | 29°2 | 16:04 
Increase ...' 19.5% | 20°2% | g'3] 181} —}| — |— | — 
The electric air currents had thus augmented the rye 
harvest by 19°5 per cent. and improved the quality of the 
corn so that we obtained of Ist quality 9°3 per cent. more 
on the experimental field, or under the current, than on the 
* The separator consisted of a spiral cut out of a brass tube (12°2cm. long 
and 5°7.cm. in diam.), which could be shortened or lengthened. Through this 
the distance between the threads of the spiral could be enlarged or diminished 
as required. The threads of the spiral had a breadth of 0°36 cm. and a thick- 
ness of o'18cm., and their edges were kept sharp. The spiral was furnished 
with bottom ends with circular holes in the middle, and was, when in a hori- 
zontal position, pushed on to the axis of a centrifugal machine, which was kept 
by an electric motor in slow rotation (1 revolution in 2 seconds) to avoid the 
effect of centrifugal force. 
