Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-06-26

pidly.
Convenient and desirable areas are for
acres, l27 By rs yards . acre, 70 10 by 80 yds.
1 acre, so by So ia do. 55 by %
The mode in which the plot is laid out is as
follows with mariners compass of measur-
ed lengths of common string lay out the places
for the wooden pins, to which the buried wire is
attached, (by passing through small staple. }
Care must be taken TO lay the length of the wire
due north and south by compass, and the breadth
due east and west. This wiye must be phced
from f,oo TO Tires inches deep in the soil. The
lines of the buried wire are then completed
The suspended wire must be attached and in con-
tact with the buried wires at both of its ends
A wooden pin with staple must therefore be
driven In at A. and the two poles Zone ii and the
other IL feet) being placed by the compass due
north and south, the wire is placed over them
and fastened TO the wooden stake, but touching
likewise at this point the buried wire The sus-
pended wire must not be drawn too tight, other
wise the wind will break it.
The Rev. w. Thorpe remarked tina, the appli-
cation of the electricity Of the atmosphere upon
large scale for the purpose of agriculture is dis
covery which, if successful, (and there is every
theoretical that it should be SOY will exer-
else most important influence upon its interests.
Dr. Foster here has obtained more than three
times the average amount Of both barley and
straw, a to quarters being the average, While
he has ID quarters, and about 5000 lbs. of straw
while he has $500 lbs,) The condition of the
ar IN regard TO electricity has evidently a most
striking influence on the rapidity of the growth
of plants. most Of which increase in the most ex-
traordinary manner during thuhdery weather.
Nitric acid, most important element in the food
of plants, is formed in the atmosphere during
thunder storms; and at these periods flee eleciri-
city in considerable quantity can be drawn from
the air by flying kites with wire strings. There
a nj tkn ,5n
surface from east to west, and both the terrestrial
and aerial currents are here collected by the sus-
pended and buried wires, and again abstracied BIZ
the moist earth and the foots, which when wet
become conductors of electricity. The applica-
ton of electricity to field culture is Quite in ia
infancy. and probably many improvements viii
be discovered whether one or more suspended
wires should be added, or galvanic troughs pIac-
ed IN the field TO supply additional electric fluid,
are yet subjects to be determined It Is unneces-
sary TO add that the electric fluid acts as stmu-
liant, and therefore the usual quantity of manures
must be applied.
These certainly are most extraordinary re-
SUITS obtained at the meres. trides of expense
OF labor and money--a quarter of an acre
may be prepared, it will he seen, for little
more than one dollar and as the expense di-
minsheS with the increase Of The area--for
fOe dollars probably two acres could be pre-
pared.
The experiment was 10 be repeated extcn-
sively in England; and as we are rather good
in this country on thunder storms, and have
simmer atmosphere habitually we'll charged
with electricity, we hope many Of our read
ers may be tempted to make trial Of th
new agent--since 1t can be done at SO LITTLE
cost, with so little trouble, and with such
large returns.
At this very moment, on fields or lndiar
corn or Of potatoes, the experiment might b.
readily tried. NE shall certainly ourseive
attempt II on small scale;--W Y Couriei