ELblCTRIClTY IN RELATION TO HORTICULTURE. 



15 



ELECTEICITY IN EELATION TO HOETICULUTUEE. 

 By J. H. Peiestley, B.Sc. 

 [Read August 30, 1910.] 



Inteoduction. — This title might preface a- very general article, 

 but it is intended only to deal with two methods in which electricity 

 has been used in recent years to increase and accelerate the growth 

 and yield of plants, viz. the system of overhead electrical discharge, 

 and the use of electric light in the greenhouse. 



The writer recognizes that the future extension of these methods 

 in horticultural practice will be strictly limited by the extent to which 

 electrical power is readily available. But the whole tendency seems to 

 be towards^ the increasing use of such a safe and easily manipulated 

 source of power as electricity, and the consequent reduction in its cost 

 will tend more and more to bring it into the purview of the larger 

 grower and market gardener. 



As a consequence, if a m.ethod can be devised for utilizing this 

 electric power, when it reaches the garden or greenhouse, to stimulate 

 the growth of plants, to accelerate their production, and to increase 

 their yield, it is clear that such a method will become more generally 

 valuable as years go on. 



I am therefore inclined to think that the time for experiment in 

 this subject is well upon us, and that it is desirable that the next few 

 years should see a larger number of centres throughout the country 

 testing these methods under all possible conditions. 



The cost of such experiments is considerable and the testing of the 

 overhead discharge system must be left with the larger grower and the 

 Agricultural and Horticultural Experimental Station ; but the experi- 

 ments with electric light are of such a nature as to be within the 

 powers of many growers who may have access to the necessary elec- 

 trical supply. The two methods are really quite distinct, and will 

 be dealt with in turn. 



As this article may be expected to circulate amongst those who 

 have the power of experimenting in this subject if they so desire, 

 considerable attention will be paid to questions that arise in regard 

 to large-scale experimental trials with these methods, and the writer 

 will always be glad to supply any further information within his power 

 to horticulturists who may be interested in the matter. 



OVEEHEAD ElECTEICAL DiSCHAEGE. ' ' 



The general principle of the systems I have grouped together under 

 this heading is to discharge electricity into the air above the plant, 

 which will then find its way to the earth through the plant. 



This is always occurring in a greater or less degree in nature. 



