The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-20
IN THE ELECTRICAL WORLD.
Tho EHects OF an Electric Light on Growing
Plants-Interesting Items.


The deductions from the results Of the OK.
periments with the electric light on growing
plants at the Cornell University are that II
promotes assimilation. often hastens growth
and maturity. is capable OF producing natural
favors and colors in fruits. often intensifes
colors OF flowers and that periods Of darkness
are not necessary to the growth and develop
ment OF all plants The forcing house was d.
vided by a board partition. one-half being sub
jected to natural conditions of light and dark
ness. and the other to sunlight by day and the
light Of a lamp Of 2.0OO-candle power during
tho whole. or part, Of the night. Leaf
plants such as lettuce and spinach. ran to
seed before edible leaves were formed when
the lamp burned all night Plants near the
lamp died soon after coming UP. or the entire
crops those in the normal house were twice as
great as those in tho light compartment. The
influence Of tho light on the productiveness
and colors Of flowers varied with different
species and with different colors Of flowers Of
the same species. When six varieties OF tulips
bloomed in the light compartment their colors
were deeper and richer. but the colors lost
their intensity after few days They had
longer stems and larger leaves. Verbenas grow
ing near the lamp were injured. being stunted
and with short-lived flowers. Scarlet, dark
red. blue. and pink flowers within three feet
OF the lamp soon turned to a grayish white
Petunias grew taller and more slender. bloom
ed earlier and more prrofusely.. Radishes were
showed that injury followed the use Of the
light when the plantlet was losing its support
the use OF 1t later.
The smallest incandescent lamp is called the
grain lamp. and Is three millmetres In diam
eter by FIVE In length. Its power is that OF one
candle. 1t Is used in surgical and dental op-
The Temple Emanu-El is to be- lighted by
about 600 incandescent lamps. The chancel
Of Trinity church has been lighted by cleo
tricity for some time.
An English inventor believes that he can run
clocks by, natural electricity from the earth.
The earth's currents vary considerably. but by
dulum he can keep time. he asserts. to within
one minute in a year.
St. Gatherings Point, Isle OF Wight, is the
most powerful in the world. The light is
can be Increased to that of 6.OOOOO0. It is
visible at distance Of about forty-tive miles.
In new process Of smelling iron by cleo
tricity the metal is placed in cupola that has
electrical connections. and strong current
and Produces great heat. which e m esff the
metal. The molten metal flows into recepta-
Gle below the cupola to be drawn Off
NJ Trouve has shown to the French Academy
OF Sciences tho design OF a boat propelled by a
sea water battery The plates OF zinc and cop
per are placed under the boat like a keel. and
the current drives motor attached to n large
rotary wheel. The plates may be lowered or
raised as required. Thomas Davenport,
Vermont blacksmith. made similar sugges-
ton. or design. fifty years ago.
Several mines in the Connellsville region. in
Westmoreland and Cambria counties. Pa.
have been lighted by electricity recently The
shafts vary from 100 to nearly 1000 feet in
depth. Heretofore. owing to the accumula-
ton OF firednmp gas In many OF the mines. it
has been difficult to illuminate them and avoid
the danger OF causing fire. The lamps are
distributed underground throughout the main
walks leading to the shaft.
According to the Electrical Repie,c. English
travellers in India who have gained access to
some Of the alf-ruined temples OF PAM, about
200 miles from Madras. have learned that tho
principles Of the telephone have been known
In the country for thousands Of years. Two OF
the temples are about mile apart. and on the
ground floor Of each IL small circular room,
guarded day and night 1t is supposed that
the governing spirits live there. but in reality
they are the termini of Il telephone line under
ground from one to the other 1t is said that
the transmitters are of wood and about tho
size of the head of -four BARREL and that the
wire is neither steel. copper. nor brass. but a
metal closely resembling the last named.
Worm -catrn trnnsmitters. said to be 1000
years old. have been exhibited.