Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1891-11-22
A
Effects OF tho Ilrc rie Light and the
Electric Current OH Plants.

Euecto OF the IIrc TIC LiBht ~ ehc
Electric Current OIL Plants
A report on the effects Of the electric
light on plants comes from the agri-
cultural experiment station of Cornell
university, where studies nave been
, Nude of the influence OF the electric
arc lamp upon greenhouse plants.
RadisEcs were strongly attracted by
the light. and all leaned mt an angle of
l from 90 degrees to II degrees toward
the lamp. This report says:
There arc 4 few points which are
clear, the electric light promotes as
s%i=liIation, it often h:stcns growth End
maturity, it is capable OF producing
natural flavors and colors in fruits, it
often i~ntcnsitics colors of flowers, and
sometimes increases the production of
flowers"
1t is added that the experiments
show that plants do not need periods of
darkness for rest. There is every rciI-
son. therefore, to suppose that the clcc-
trio light can he prolitably used i'll the
growing of plants" and the further in
terence is that ''if the electric light
makes plants to assimiia:e during
the night, and does not Interfere with
growth. it must produce plants of great
oiES LII hliINSh pACSOSilS.
Experiments have been carried out in
France, in Lot-ct-I; ronnG, by NJ. Darit,
upon the application of the electric cur
rent to the culturcof potatoes, tomatoes
and hcT:p, u row Of hemp, subjected
10 the influence of electric current, pro-
dlccd Il row OF stalks ~ i3ch-s higher
than those not electrified i'll the same
time. ~ kilogrammc C2.2 pouids) of
1 - N@-- - -. A.. 49, -..
rent produced II l~iilogramrncs of very
large and healthy tubcrs, while the TN
electrified patch only gave l2}5 Silo-
grammcs of medium size.
The electrified tomatoes also became
r;rc some ten days before the others. 4
curious fact has been remarked by NJ
Barat in his experiments. Ii quaint
~ OF mnru-c i near tine positive pole
the constituent parts Of this manure ar,
transported toward the negative pole
and their effects make themselves fcl.
around 4 distance of some yards. This
would seem to be Il fresh proof OF the
opinion long advanced upon the part
played by electricity in the growth Of
plants, an opinion also adopted by Mr..
Sprcnew, who has given some attention
10 these phenomena; this is. that the
icllcl1 Oh the electric current upon
plants seems to consist in the moro ac-
tive dissolution OF the organic principles
existing in the soil which are TINS
brought within the reach of the roots.
Too Much.
The LeTiJton Journal prints Tho
story of man who lived several year:
ago on one of the islands of Maine, ant
was commonly rcputcd to be n miscr
The nnecdote docs not of itself cstab
lish the truth of this common report
but it shows pretty conclusivcly that he
was not maj "t lac world. lie pos,
scSscd considerable property, and ono
winter, during the session OF the lcris
laturc, had occasion to visit Aur-asta
lie stepped into Il restaurant for dinner
and the waiter spread before him the
printed bill of fare. The novice took Il
for a bill of charges. lie ran his eve
over it and quickly footed up the figures
at the right of the page. Then he
sprang to his feet in Indignation.
"What!' said he, ''all that to pay, and
hain't cat II mouthful yct?" No doubt
he thought the Augusta people n set OF
~sharpcrs, and, according to the Journal,
on his next visit to the capital, lie car.
ricd with him 4 pail of ~victuals.