56 



GARDENERS' 



MAGAZINE. 



January 22, 1898. 



AN EXPERIMENT IN ELECTRICAL PLANT CULTURE. 



Professor L. H. Bailey, of Cornell University has, Mr Theodore Waters 

 states in the Westminster Gazette, been asked to go to Finland to conduct a series 

 of experiments in electrical plant-growing, in conjunction with Professor Lemstrom, 

 of the University of Helsingfors. The experiments to be carried on have nothing 

 to do with the electric light, or the running of electric wires through the soil lor 

 the purpose of forcing the growth of plants by direct current stimulation. 1 hey 

 are to be based on some pertinent observations made by Lemstrom, of the erlect ot 

 the aurora borealis on the plant growth of the north. 



It is a well-known fact, as Mr. Waters observes, that the plants of the north 

 arrive at maturity in a much shorter period of time than those plants which are 

 grown further south. It is necessary that these plants should arrive at maturity 

 very quickly, inasmuch as the summer season in the north is very brief, and it has 

 always been looked upon as a wise provision of Providence that the plants were 

 enabled to accomplish their business in life in so short a space of time. Professor 

 Lemstrom, however, casting aside the providential idea, states that the rapid 

 growth of plants in the far north is due directly to the light of the aurora borealis. 

 Light is one of the necessary natural agents in promoting plant growth, and ihe 

 efficacy of continuing the day- light by substituting in its place electric light for 

 the purpose of increasing the number of 44 growing hours" of plants has already 

 been proved. In addition to the fact that the light of the aurora might tend to 

 increase the number of growing hours of plants of the north, Lemstrom contends 

 that they are also stimulated by the presence of the large amount of atmospheric 

 electricity, to which, as it is contended, the presence of the aurora is due. 



Lemstrom, in furtherance of his ideas, has been carrying on a series of experi- 

 ments in which plants have been subjected to atmospheric electricity. But these 

 experiments, while in a measure thorough, have not been carried out on a 

 sufficiently extended scale to warrant any large assumptions being made in the 

 matter. It is Lemstrom 's idea that in conjunction with Professor Bailey some very 

 important work can be carried on, and it is for this purpose that Professor Bailey 

 is making ready to proceed to Finland. # . 4 



If the plans of the two experimenters are carried out in the manner which is 

 now contemplated, the result will be an electric farm of a decidedly picturesque 

 character. It is proposed to erect a line of posts around this farm or field in 

 which the experiments are to be carried out. From post to post, through the air 

 at>ove the ground, wires will be stretched, and at convenient distances along these 

 wires small knobs or points will project. A static current, such as produced by 

 the Holtz machine, will be sent over the wires, and will be allowed to jump across 

 the open space between the wires from one point or knob to another. A constant 

 flow of elecricity through the air will thus be accomplished, and the surrounding 

 atmosphere will be, in a measure, saturated with the current. At least, this is the 

 idea of the experimenters ; certainly at night the scene should be very picturesque. 

 The tiny points of flame jumping from wire to wire, from knob to knob, in the 

 background of darkness, ought to create a picture such as might be thought to 

 exist only in the fabled farms of fairyland. Professor Bailey, in speaking of the 



scheme, says : — - 



" Our contemplated experiments point to the application of atmospheric elec- 

 tricity to the growing of plants. Lemstrom and myself have devised a scheme by 

 which we are to work in unison, some work to be carried on in Finland, and some 

 to be carried on in America. He has recently suggested that I should go to 

 Finland in order to look over his experiments, and to be better able to undertake 

 them here. Lemstrom was first led to consider this whole subject by observing the 

 influence of the aurora on the atmosphere and plant-growing, and thought 

 that the electrification of the atmosphere had a great deal to do with the growth in 

 the Arctic regions. He went to Spitzbergen for the purpose of investigating the 

 electrical phenomena and the meteorology of plant-growing. 



" I have recently pointed out to the members of the Massachusetts Horticul- 

 tural Society the great effect which atmospheric electricity has on the growth of 

 plants. Atmospheric electricity exerts a very powerful influence upon vegetation. 

 The experiments of Grandeau were designed to determine this point. Plants were 

 grown in the free atmosphere which is always in a greater or less state of electrifi- 

 cation, and also in a wire cage from which the atmospheric electricity was 

 excluded. Maize in the free air was in every way better than the other, not only 

 in the bulk of all its parts, but in the amount of ash, and of both nitrogenous and 

 non-nitrogenous matters. Grandeau found that plants deprived of the influence 

 of atmospheric electricity have in the same length of time given 50 to 70 per 

 cent, less bulk and 50 to 60 per cent, less fruit and seeds than plants subjected 

 to normal conditions, that is, those to which atmospheric electricity had free 

 access. Celi shortly afterwards reached similar results. So did Leclerc. But by 

 far the best investigations upon the electrification of the atmosphere in reference 

 to plant-growing were those made in Finland and in France by Lemstrom, physicist 

 in the University of Helsingfors. 



" Lemstrom was first led to his inquiries by observations upon vegetation and 

 meteorological phenomena in the high North, particularly in Finnish Lapland and 

 Spitzbergen, when he came to the conclusion that much of the rapidity of 

 vegetation in the short summers is due to climatic electricity. His first 

 experiments were made in the laboratory, and the results were so promising that 

 he at once turned his attention to the field. He made an experiment on a small 

 field of barley in Finland. One portion of the field was covered with small 

 parallel wires a metre apart, and secured to porcelain insulators which were 

 secured to small posts on the margin of the field. At inteivals of a half metre 

 each wire was furnished with a metal point, from which the current could dis- 

 charge into the atmosphere. These wires were connected to the positive pole of 

 a four-disc Holtz machine, which supplied the current. The current was suppli* d 

 from the middle of June to September 1, from six to ten o'clock in the morning, 

 and from five to nine in the evening. The barley was well up when 

 the experiment began. The harvest showed that the electric plot was over thirty- 

 five per cent, ahead of the remainder of the field, and the yield and the quality 

 of the grain was improved. 



" Having determined the good effects of atmospheric electricity in high 

 latitudes, Lemstrom now carried his experiments in-o France. Here he treated 

 cereals, garden vegetables, and a variety of fruits. The result was equally good 

 in the warm country. But although these experiments of Lemstrom have shown 

 that the application of electricity to the atmosphere generally influences plants 

 profoundly, and is usually beneficial, we are yet uncertain as to how this effect is 

 brought about. It is highly probable, however, as Lemstrom thinks, that the 

 modification is not the direct result of the electrification of the plant itself, nor the 

 atmosphere, but that they follow some chemical change in the atmosphere which 

 is engendered by the current. This L> one of the problems we will attack while 

 working in unison. If it is solved we shall probably know better how far to go 

 with this artificial plant -stimulating process. In some cases it is found that stimu- 

 lation is advisable up to a certain point, but from that point onward it becomes 

 injurious. If we can reduce the system to a practical basis, our forthcoming 

 experiments and those of the past will not be or have been in vain." 



New Books. 



The Rosarian's Year Book for 1898. Price is. Edited by the Rev. H. H. 

 D'ombraix. (Bemrose and Sons, Limited, 23, Old Bailey, London. ) — This 

 highly popular annual is, as usual, remarkable for the interest and usefulness of its 

 contents, and will not be less heartily welcomed than have been the many previous 

 issues. An excellent portrait of our esteemed coadjutor, the Rev. J. ft 

 Peniberton, forms the frontispiece, and in the opening remarks to his appreciative 

 sketch of the work of this distinguished rosarian, the editor observes: " There 

 are few notabilities in the rose world who are better known than the indefatigable 

 and energetic clergyman whose portrait is given in this issue of the 4 Year Book,' 

 and certainly no one whose judgment is more appreciated from his intimate 

 knowledge of the flower he so successfully cultivates. He has been a loyal and 

 constant supporter of the society ever since its foundation, having exhibited at all 

 its shows, and always more or less successfully, and if anybody can be an amateur 

 in the truest sense of the word it is Mr. Pemberton. Everything that is done in 

 the rose garden, with the exception of digging and hoeing, is done by himself and 

 his energetic sister, whose portrait, I think, ought to have been placed with his. 

 He has doubtless some advantages on his side. He inherits the love of roses 

 from his father, who taught him how to bud, &c, when quite a lad ; moreover, he 

 resides in the house where his father and grandfather lived, and, above all, he has 

 the constant assistance of his excellent sister, whom nothing seems to daunt or 

 tire. There can be no doubt that anyone who can do all the work necessary in 

 the rose garden has a great advantage over those who are obliged to employ paid 

 labour. He knows where to look for his roses on the evening before the 

 exhibition, and, as he has been watching their development some time before, has 

 not to waste any time looking for them. Mr. Pemberton commenced rose 

 showing in 1874, when he took a first prize at a local show. He exhibited at the first 

 show of the National at St. James' Hall in the class for twelve distinct varieties, 

 obtaining the second prize out of forty exhibitors, and never since that has he been 

 absent from an exhibition of the National, either metropolitan or provincial. In 

 1885 he felt sufficiently strong to exhibit in the Trophy Class, and gained the first 

 place. In this class he has exhibited ever since with the exception of one year, 

 1888, when he had not sufficient flowers in bloom, and he has gained the Challenge 

 Trophy three times, been placed second six times, and third three times, but never 

 out of it altogether. He also staged for the Jubilee Trophy nine times, gaining it 

 four times, being placed second three times, and third once." The more important 

 papers in the issue are : " Yellow Roses," by the Rev. A. Foster-Melliar, who, in 

 the course of his interesting communication, describes Marechal Niel as "the 

 finest yellow rose known by a long way "5 "A Chat about Rose Sports," by Mr. 

 A. Piper ; "Roses in the South-west of Scotland," by the Rev. D. R. Williamson, 

 who states that " though many of the roses of continental origin succeed admir- 

 ably in Scotland, I have come to the conclusion that those which have hitherto 

 been most successfully cultivated are of British origin" ; and the " Abolition of 

 the Trebles," by Mr. George Paul, to which we referred in our issue of the 8th 

 inst. Miss Muriel Grahame contributes a chatty little paper on rose shows ; the 

 editor gives a sketch of the work of the National Rose Society in 1897 ; and Mr. 

 E. Mawley discusses the weather of the rose year, the latter being described as 

 " really good." 



Gardening Year Book and Gardening Oracle for 1898. Price is. ^ By the 



Editor of the Gardeners' Magazine. (E. W. Allen, 4, Ave Maria Lane, 



E.C.)— The Gardening Year Book is so well known and highly appreciated in 

 horticultural circles as to render it unnecessary that we should do more than 

 record the publication of the edition for the current year, and briefly indicate its 

 contents. It is with satisfaction we do this, for the work has now reached its 

 fortieth year, and enjoys a higher degree of popularity than at any^ other period 

 in its long life. In this respect it occupies a perfectly unique position, and there 

 can be no doubt that the estimation in which the work is held is largely due to the 

 recognition by the editor of the importance of both freshness and utility, and the 

 consequent provision of matter specially written for each issue, and adapted to the 

 continuous changes in the fashion of horticulture. Diary pages are, as usual, 

 provided for keeping of a brief record of garden work, and the almanack pages 

 contain a series of short reminders, which both amateurs and professionals assure 

 us are found extremely useful. Full directions are given for the management 0 

 every department of the garden, outside and under glass, throughout the year, 

 and concise directions are given for the successful cultivation of all the plants, 

 flowers, fruits, and vegetables generally grown, and accompanying the caitura 

 directions are selections of the most useful varieties. The new plants, " ul ^' 

 flowers, and vegetables introduced during the past year are briefly described, an 

 illustrations given of some of the more important introductions. The most ae^ 

 structive of the insect pests are figured and described, and the best means 0 

 keeping them in check pointed out. The recipes likely to prove useful in } 

 garden have been extended and improved, and the lists of horticultural s °^ ie . tieS ' 

 and public gardens have been thoroughly revised to ensure accuracy. In a " dlt !° n 

 to these features a mass of statistical and other information relating to the garde^ 

 is given, and there are two coloured plates and numerous illustrations in blac 

 and white. 



Vinton's Agricultural Almanack for 1898. Price 6d. (Vinton and Co., 

 Limited, 9, New Bridge Street, Ludgate Circus, E.C.)— This publication, so long 

 popular with agriculturists, continues to preserve as its chief features very extent 

 and carefully prepared lists of statistics, official information, societies, b re ^ de 

 tables, fairs, Sec, which rend r it helpful for reference. The statistics include 

 prices at the London Christmas Market, and the Imperial Corn Averages 

 December 11. About seventy large pages are devoted to tabular and om ^ 

 information relating to agriculture and stockbreeding. This edition contain5 |j ein 

 in the case of previous issues, numerous special articles, chief amorng 



being: Mr. Clare Sewell Read on "Reminiscences of Farming"; Mr> '. 

 - " German^* 



M'Connell on "The Dairy Trade"; Professor Wrightson on " 

 Experiments" ; Mr. William E. Bear on "The Royal Commission 



on 



Agr 



cul 



ture"; Mr. R. E. Turnbull on "Wheat Farming in England"; r ^ fe ^ 

 Maiden on "Digging"; Mr. Gilbert Murray on " Cross-bred Sheep"; M !>.' 

 Parlour on "As Others See Us"; Mr. Wm. Earley on "Improved 

 Culture." The illustrations comprise portraits of some of the leading agricultu ^ 

 and of several of the higher types of live stock. The portraits of agricult 



inrlnHf* Fori ^nonr^r IT CI ~~^\Annt D ACT? AT, Dorp QpWpII Read, ' 



An 



V_ 7 J » , » .w.wwwxvm ~-^J f • — O 



the Sutton family. 



My Garden Diary for 1898. Price is. (Sutton and Sons, R radin . g ']^* 

 elegantly printed brochure containing well-arranged diary pages, and remm 

 work to be done in each month of the year. 



Hardy Perennials and Old-fashioned Garden Flowers. By JOHN ^ 

 (L. Upcott Gill, 170, Strand, W.C)— In the publication of this manual **^ t 

 a further proof of the popularity of hardy border plants and of an increased 



