SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
———— 
Some Prosrems Awarrina Sornurion. 
The method of overhead discharge still requires much experimental 
and research work to solve some of its many problems. These are 
essentially problems of plant physiology. The question of an adequate 
and cheap source of electric power will be a great barrier for its exten- 
sion in Australia, ir 
It is desirable to try the different intensities of electricity under 
varying conditions of cultivation, moisture, of air and soil temperature, 
variations of soil and fertilizer, &., all in the same season. There 
has been too little systematic variation of such conditions, provided with 
adequate controls. There has been a failure to realize the necessity 
for quantitative measurement of the electric discharge; that a stimulus 
may act differently on the plant at different stages of its life; that the 
effect of the stimulus depends on its intensity, and also on the time for 
which it is. applied; and that the effect of the stimulus may appear a 
considerable time after its application. We do not know why the appli- 
cation is often most valuable on dull days, and may be deleterious as 
over-stimulation in bright sunlight or drought. 
Though we do not know the manner in which the electrical di 
acts on a growing crop, this should be no bar to its use, as th 
already in many directions substantial advantages to be derived. 
the advances that have been made in internal combustion engines, and 
compact lighting plants with direct coupled dynamos, the electric 
supply may be overcome. In the new method of seed treatment, there is 
no necessity for an extensive plant. The seed can be treated in a central 
establishment, and after drying can be delivered to the planter. 
scharge 
ere are 
With 
ACTION TAKEN BY THE Unrrep Srarus or AmuRICA AND EnNGuistr 
Boarp or AaricunrurE. 
Most of the treated grain sown on the 2,000 acres in England was 
treated at one place. There the process is beyond the experimental _ 
stage as far as the farmer is concerned. It is now so established that 
this year (1920) the amount of seed that will be electrified will depend 
only on the capacity of the plants available to treat it. Dr. Wray, the 
United States Inspector in charge of their interests in Great Britain, 
has advised his Government to have immediate trials made in every 
State in the Union. Furthermore, the President of the Board of Agri- 
culture and Fisheries has appointed a Committee to advise in regard 
to all electrical questions connected with the carrying out of experiments 
in electro-culture, and particularly with 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 connexion with the 
_ experiments. On that Committee, we find Sir John Snell (chairman), 
Professor V. H. Blackman, Dr. E. J. Russell, Dr. W. H. Eccles, Pro-_ 
fessor T. Mather, and others. 
Warr Ausrraria again Neaurcr Loca Screncr? 
In the face of such activity on the part of England, France, and the j 
United States of America, shall Australia fail to move in the matter, 
and move quickly? Though we do not know the scientific explanation 
of the action, further trials are not likely to teach us much more. We 
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