The morning call., 1891-09-13
ELBCFRIFYING SEEDS.
Plants, Flowers and Vegetables Brought to
Maturity in an Hour.

II is very generally believed that electric
ity can be put to many other uses besides
those to which it is at present devoted.
But perhaps comparatively few have ever
thought Of it as promoter of the growth
of plants, life-Giver to the vegetable king
dom.
Yet this is what at least one OF its votar-
les claims 1t can be made to accomplish,
says the Boston Globe, by very simple pro-
cess.
He backs up his statements by pointing
to the results of experiments he has made.
Just think of plants, flowers and vege-
tables which, under the ordinary conditions
of climate and soil, require three or four
months to come to maturity. ripening by the
electric process in as many minutes.
The assertion that this is perfectly possible
is boldly made by Amos h. Septer of Rox-
bury, and his claim is supported by all the
prestige which seventy-one years of active
and useful life, studded with the friendships
of some of Americas greatest men, can give
it.
Taking as his foundation the following
text from book by Professor Mcintosh,
MIR. Senter gives his experience in the sci
ence OF electricity:
Take a small quantity OF mustard or cress
seed and steep II for few days in diluted oxy-
murlatic acid; sow ii in tine light soil In gar.
den pot and cover II with metallic cover Now
bring 1t in contact with the prime conductor of an
electric machine. The seed VIII spring up as II
by magic, and IN the course OF few minutes the
crop Will be ready TO eut-a salad ht 10 be put
upon the table.
MIR. Senter says: 81 have made the ex-
periment which is mentioned here on vari-
Gus occasions, and it has invariably had the
result described.
81 have tried it bv means of the mustard
seed on each occasion, and in every instance
it has ripened with ligbtning-lke rapidty.
''NOw, if that is so in The case of mustard
and cress seeds, why would 1t not be possi-
BILE TO carry the experiment further, and try
it on plants, roses, corn, turnips and other
growing crops?
81 have not the means to make the expert
ments necessary, but think if electricians
and scientists generally would devote a
little attention TO the possibilities in this
matter they would revolutiOnize the world
in a very few years.
some of them may be led to experiment on
il, and l have great confidence as to the
result.
II was led to do so myself by reason of
my experimenting in regard to electrotyp-
ing, for am printer, and in that way l
first got hold of the idea. which think is
well worthy of consideration"
III Mr Senter's idea Is sound one, and
that crops can be grown by electricity, the
gentleman who commands the clouds and
can produce rain at Will wont DC In II
with whoever makes the fortunate discoy-
cry.
MIR. Senter is a native of Plymouth, N. H,
but came to Boz ston in 1S41.
He worked on the Boston Post some time
and later on the Times.
In 1855 he went West and settled in
Columbus, Ohio, where he took prominent
part in the campaign on behalf Of John q.
Fremont for the Presidency, as a result be-
coming an intimate friend of Secretary
Samuel p. Chase
Later on he went East to New York. but
has lived for the past dozen years in Boston.
Napoleon had nineteen horses killed under
him from ArcOla to Waterloo Marshal
Butcher claimed 10 have lost the same mum.
Der in his campaigns, and General Forrest.
of the Confederate army, according to MIR.