1910.] Overhead Electrical Discharges. 



-7 



check is removed, one might expect to see a greater response 

 to the stimulating action of the current, expressed, perhaps, 

 in greater synthesis of foodstuff, more rapid evaporation of 



Cost of Treatment. — The practical man will probably 

 desire that this article should include a reference to the cost 

 of this new method of treatment, but that is a subject which 

 I do not feel competent to pursue in any detail. 



Presumably any person desirous of installing such an 

 apparatus would first get in touch with some competent firm 

 of electricians, and thus he could soon get some idea of the 

 cost. The Agricultural Electric Discharge Co. would 

 possess all necessary data on these points. From my own 

 experience I am satisfied that an apparatus for greenhouse 

 work, in which the electricity is supplied from a continuously 

 running influence machine, could be installed at a cost of 

 some £$o ; but the other and more satisfactory method, which 

 is the only one which at present seems to admit of develop- 

 ment upon a large scale, would cost considerably more, 

 perhaps some ^200 to ^300, When once installed the cost 

 of running resolves itself practically into a question of the 

 cost of working an ordinary gas or oil motor, with an occa- 

 sional need for resting or replacing an overstrained electric 

 valve. 



Cucumbers. — Increase 17 per cent. 



Strawberries (5-year plants).- — Increase 36 per cent, (i-year plants). — 

 80 per cent, (and many more runners produced). 



Broadbeans.— Decrease 15 per cent. Acceleration — some 5 days. 



Cabbages (not weighed.) -Acceleration — 10 days. 



Celery. — Increase 2 per cent. Wires used as discharge points not 

 fine enough. 



Tomatoes. — No difference. 



water, and so on. 



Results of Large-Scale Experimental Trials. 



Bitton, 1905. 



(Electricity from an influence machine.) 



Gloucester, 1905. 

 (Electricity from an influence machine.) 



