The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

plot of ground. BY means Of this a stronger
current or electricity can be kept moving
through the ground at stated times, and
Tor experimental purposes this is highly de-
sirable. The electric light is also utilized
dor stimulating the growth Of plants here,
the maturity of lettuce, spinach and sim
liar products. Radishes have been produced
eighteen inches long by means of cleo
Entlre crops in the forcing plots of ground
have been increased 80 and 90 per cent
eqIaRy SPGR Sese nave
forced In their growth so that pansies could
be madee to blossom within week and
roses in ten days. After demonstrating the
value OF electricity In fastening the matur-
ity of crops experiments were directed to-
wards the Improvement of the quality of
the current and arc light had decided
effect upon the colors of the flowers In
most cases the colors were greatly inten-
sified, and dull grayish colors were painted
more brilliant hue. Blue, dark red, scar
let and pink flowers were made most brill
liant in their intensity but they soon faded
lating the power of the current and the
distance from the arc light the colors could
be made almost perfect, while their lasting
qualities would not be affected.
Similarly the fragrance of the flowers was
affected by the electricity. At first 1t
seemed to produce no change, but by dis
tributing the wires in the soil at a proper
distance from the plants marked results
were obtained. The fragrance of the hya-
was made strong and pervading. So heav-
lily did they perfume the air that 1t was al
most sickening, in the early morning when
no wind stirred. The atmospheric electric
ity. 1t is supposed, aids the flowers to as
simulate the azote or nitrogen of the atmos
phere, and this effects benefcially every
part of the plant. 1t stimulates their
growth, intensities their colors and develops
their delicate fragrance so per cent.
The next step in the series OF experiments,
and which led up TO the discovery of the
value Of the current in increasing the per-
centage of sugar in beets, was to make the
vegetables and fruits elaborate from the
soil certain elements which would improve
their quality This was first obtained with
radlshes and turnips Those stimulated too
rapidly were tender, but pithy and strong.
A little less strong application of electricity
produced better results. They were tender,
juicy and delicate in flavor. This was a
notable gain, but not all. If the value of
the electricity was in helping the plants to
assimllate the nitrogen of the air why could
not the currents under the soil do similar
test this a plot of ground was thoroughly
fortified with nitrogen in the form Of
nitrates and then strong current applied
to the network of wires underground. The
results were all that the scientists could ex-
pect
Following this came the experiment with
the sugar beets. The varieties analysing
Is and II per cent. sugar were started with4
and a noticeable increase of l and per
cent. of sugar first attracted the attention
of the eXperimenters. This increase was
obtained accidentally as the electric cur
rent was expected only to increase them
in size and weight. Instantly, however, the
question of size was abandoned, and every
effort was directed toward increasing the
amount of sugar in the vegetables. This
was slowly obtained by long series of
experiments. by which the wires and arc
lights were tried at all distances from the
vegetables. Finally the right distance was
obtained. Then nitrogen was added to the
soil in abundance. This was taken up SO
rapidly by the sugar beets that the soil was
exhausted at the end of the season. Still
every ounce of it had been converted d.
rectly into sugar, and the results were very
profitable. So far the experiments have
shown an increase of sugar, varying from
20 to 50 per cent, but it is expected that
this will increase 20 so per cent. after fur
Their trials and experiments. Then Ger
many's beets that give only IS per cent
of sugar will hardly be in the market COM
pared to the American electrocultured prod
ucts.