792 



Electro-Culture . 



[Dec, 



bunches were of large size and contained good even sized berries 

 in excellent condition and full of bloom. 



The bunches of grapes were tied to shallow baskets which were 

 Ijjied with white paper, wood, or cotton wool, depending on the 

 method adopted. The grapes in every single instance when 

 packed in this wav had travelled well, retaining most of the 

 natural bloom and freshness, and were generally admired by 

 the public. 



It was difificiiJt to decide as to the best exhibit in the show; 

 some of the public preferred the waving exhibit of Colmar 

 shown by Mr. Tostevin, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands sec- 

 tion; while others thought the Colmars of Messrs. Douglas 

 Brothers, of Worthing, which, secured the first prize in the 

 Great Britain section, superior. Both were good and at the 

 auction sale each realised 12s. per basket. 



The Dominion of Canada has cause to be proud of its successes 

 attained at the present show, and the State of Nova Scotia by 

 securing the two first prizes has abundantl}^ demonstrated the 

 capabilities of that State for producing apples of the highest 

 class. In the Section confined to Overseas eleven of the possible 

 fourteen first prizes were secured b}^ Ontario, which must rank 

 as a great performance. Channel Island exhibitors were show- 

 ing for the first time and they have every reason to be satisfied 

 with the produce shown and the success achieved. 



Mfr ^ Ml^ ¥^ ^ 



ELECTRO-CULTURE. 



Although investigations into the influence of electrical dis- 

 charge on plant growth are still in the preliminary stages and 

 the economic possibilities of ' ' electro-culture ' ' are still uncer- 

 tain, so much interest has been manifested in the subject that 

 it is desirable to give a brief account of the work so far accom- 

 plished under the direction of the Electro-Culture Committee.* 



* The Committee was appointed in 1918, to "advise the Ministiy of 

 Agriculture and Fisheries in regard to all electrical questions in connection 

 with the carrying out of experiments in electro-culture, and particularly 

 in regard to the construction of apparatus suitable for use on an economic 

 scale, and to the making of such electrical measurements as may be necessary 

 in connection with the experiments." The present constitution of the Com- 

 mittee is as follows : — Sir John Snell, M.Inst.C.E, (Chairman) ; Mr. A. F. Berry ; 

 Professor V. H. Blackman, F.R.S. ; Mr. A. B. Bruce. M. A. ; Dr. C. Chree, F.R.S. ; 

 Mr. W. R.Cooper, M.A., B.Sc, A.I.C.; Dr. W. H. Eccles, F.R.S., M.I.E.E. ; 

 Mr. P. Hedworth Foulkes, B.Sc. ; Mr. J. S. Highfield. M.I.E.E.; Professor 

 G. W.O. Howe; Professor T. Mather, F.R.S., M.I.E.E.; Mr. B.J. Owen,M.Sc., 

 M.Eng. ; Mr. H. G. Richardson. M.A., B.Sc. ; Sir John Russell, F.R.S. ; and 

 Mr. C. T. R. Wilson. F.R.S. 



