The Democratic advocate., 1873-02-15

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Mr.. X. a. Willard, 10 his address before |
the Northwestern Dairymen's Association,
gave the following interesting facts
Mr. Andrew Cross. the celebrated Eng-
lish experimenter, considered that the roots
and leaves Of plants were in opposite states
Of electricity. Some Of his experiments in
this direction are very interesting. He
cut two branches from rose tree. They
we're as nearly alike as possible, with the
same number Of buds, and both equally
blown. An arrangement was made by
which negative current of electricity was
passed through ones aud a positive current
through the other. In few hours the
negative rose dropped and died, but the
positive continued its freshness for nearly
fortnight the rose itself became full
blown, and the buds expanded and surviv-
ed an unusual length Of time. Again. he
was able to keep milk sweet for three weeks
in the hottest weather Of summer, by the
application Of current of positive cleo
tricity.
On one occasion he kept fishes under
the electric action for three months, and at
the end Of that time they were sent to a
friend, whose domestic knew nothing Of
the experiment. Before the cook dressed
them, her master asked her whether she
thought they were fresh, as he had some
doubts. She replied that she was sure
they were fresh; indeed, she would swear
they were alive yesterday. When served
at the table, they appeared like ordinary
fish, but when the family attempted to eat
them, they were found to be perfectly
tasteless--the electric action had taken
away all the essential oil, leaving the fish
unfit for food However, the process IS
exceedingly useful for keeping fish, meats,
&C., fresh and good for ten days or fort
night.
Now, this is consistent with our observa-
ton and the facts known to every one in
the habit Of handling milk. When the
condition Of the atmosphere is in mega
tive electrical state, or shows deficiency
Of positive electricity, a state. Of weather
which we designate as sultry, close, and
the like, there is always difficulty in keep
ing milk sound. Even in good, healthy
milk, the fungous germs, common to all
milk, increase and multiply with great
rapidity, producing the common Tactic acid
fermentation, or souring Of the fluid but
in ease of fungi from decomposing ami
NAL or vegetable matter coming in contact
with the milk, rapid decomposition takes
place, and we have rotten milk, putrid
odors and floating curds. The exposing
of such curds to the atmosphere as well as
the aeration Of milk to improve its eondi-
ton are both philosophical, because these
minute organisms Of fungi are affected by
the oxygen of the air, which checks their
development and multiplication.
The influences Of electrical action is a
question entirely new to the dairy public,
but il is one concerning which | think
some useful suggestions present themselves
for our consideration. When the electric
al equilibrium is disturbed, or when the
s.Nte Of the atmosphere indicates a pre-
ponderance Of negative electricity, we are
all aware of the fact by its depressing in
fuences. At such times it IS important
that we take more than ordinary care in
the handling Of milk that it be kept out
of harmful odors that attention be given
to its aeration and such treatment be given
it as shall be inimical to the growth and
development Of fungi.
And again, the fact that milk may be
kept sweet long time in hot weather by
electrical action will offer very important
suggestion to inventors in the preservation
of milk, and perhaps in the improvement
of cheese factories. Ibelieve that We are
only on the threshold Of the cheese-making
art, and that as we become acquainted with
the laws of nature and their application,
great progress is yet to be made in every
branch of dairy husbandry.