New-York tribune., 1880-04-04
SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.
ELECTRICITY AND vErETATIoN


DR.. G. w. Siemens, so well known in scien
tific circles abroad, has been experimenting for
two months on the growth of plants exposed in
whole or II. part TO the action of powerful
% electro Hght. Inc method pursued was to
plant quick k-growiuR seeds and plants such as
mustard, carrots, swedes beans, cucumbers and
melons, In pots, and these pots were divided
INTO four groups, one of which was kept entirely
the electric light only, one to the influence of
daylight only, and one to daylight and electric
light in succession. The electric light was ap-
piled for six hours each evening-from 5 to IL
and the plants were then left in darkness
during the remainder of the night The gen.
eral result was that the plants kept entilely in
the dark sOOI died; those exposed to the
electric light only or to daylight only thr0ve
abont equally and those exposed to both day
and electric light thTOve far better than ether,
the specimens Of mustard and Of carols eX-
hiblted showing this difference In very re-
markabe way.
DR.. Siemens only considers himself as yet on
the threshold OF the investigation, but THINKS
the experiments already made dle sufficient 10
justify the following conclusions Il. That elec,
tric light is eticaclOus in producing cllOrOphyl
in the leaves OF plants, and in promoting giOwth.
2. That an electric ccntIe Ol light equal to 400
candles placed at a distance OF two III etres IRON
growing plants appeared to he equal III enecI 10
average daylight ut this season II the year; put
thai more economical effects can be obtained by
more powerful light centres. ). That The car
bOnlc acd and nitrOgtn' OuS compounds gen
Grated III GImlnutlVe quantities III the electric
Il produce no sensible dclcterIOuS effects npOn
plants mclOsed III the same space. 4. hat
plants do not appear to require IL period OF rest
during the 81 hours Of the day, but make in
creased and vigorous progress II subjected
during daytime 10 sunlight and during the
night to electric light. 3. That The radiation Ot
heat from powerful electric arcs can he made
available To cOunteract the effect OF night frost,
and is likely to promote the setting and ripcI-
ing of fruit in the open air 6. Tha: while nm
der the influence OF electric hight pants can suS-
tain Increased stove heat without cOllal slng-a
circumstance favorable to forcing by electric
light. z. That the expense Oi clcctTo-h0ltcui-
turC depends mainly upon the cost OF meclanl-
cal energy, AMI Is very moderate where natural
SOURCES of such energy, sucI as waterfalls, tan
be made available.
WHAT may be the practical application of the
electric light to Horticulture, saws AdfWe, Il
still question for the future. DIR. S:cmcns finds
that increased illumination enabltS plants 10
sustain increased s:Ovc heat, but the hope that
the electric light might sid investigation as TO
the formation OF akalOlLs. such n qllnlnr I'D
n plant will scarcely perhaps lead to any plac-
tiin result. The Use of the Eight viii III all
probability be limited to tie gardens OF the
wealthy, where there Will Dr 10 dllhCulty III
employing 1t to make plants grow at double
their normal spced, II TINS Is ever pih uc'iiy
fduud worth while. Ii may also perhaps he
found available in England III accclelatmg he
eff, ct of the tardy aud pcnnnous sunlight III
lipcnipg fruit But the scientific lntciest oi lie
prt seht application must resi- mainly on the
fact that The cycle OF the transformation of
energy engaged in plant life Is NOW complete.
and that, starting from thc 'el@y stored up III
vegetable fuel, we can Iun hr"ngh the changes
from heat TO electricity abd thence To light,
which we now know We Gin store up III NcgC-
table fuel aaain.