ELECTRICITY TO INCREASE CROP PRODUCTION. 
do not yet know the scientific basis of rust resistance, yet we do not stop 
breeding experiments which aim at producing a rust-resistant plant. 
We know that such a plant may be evolved. It will take years of careful 
scientific investigation to discover the cause of increased yield and of 
disease resistance. ‘ 
There will probably be a much reduced area under cultivation this 
year owing to the prolonged drought, and the average yield has been 
steadily receding to the pre-war average for ten seasons (1904-14—10.2 
bushels). The method of clectro-chemical treatment of seed affords an 
opportunity of increasing this average. The initial cost is not great, 
and the potential gains are enormous. An Australian (Butterworth— 
since deceased) blazed the track twelve years ago in South Australia in 
the method already becoming known abroad as Fry’s. 
