Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-07-01
COLORED BY ELECTRICITY.
Tinted Arc Globes Produce Desired
Colors and Enlarge the Size
of Blossoms.

Biology of plants is a study that is
constantly revealing new secrets of their
growth to us. We know now why they
grow and how they grow; but the causes
which first start the seed into life are still
beyond the mental grasp of the investi-
gator. For all practical purposes, says
the New York Times, gardeners to-day
understand their plants SO that they can
raise them artifcially to suit almost any
fancy or need of the day. The rose, the
lily, the violet and the tulip are suscepti-
BILE to the influences of climate and sun
shine far less than to the artificial con-
ditions with which the expert gardener
can surround them.
The housewife who raises her few win
ter plants in pots and boxes benefits by
the study of plant biology. Each season
her flower collection is increased by the
addition of some plants which formerly
were considered unsuited to winter win
dow gardening. Scarcely spring comes
around without some worthy plant nov
city being advertised for common garden
use, and when winter arrives there are
old favorites brought up to date through
wondrous processes Of artificial cultiva
ton.
Flowers that bloom to-day exceed all
creations of nature. Violets are doubled
and tripled in size. A race Of pansies has
been raised up to measure two inches
across their faces. Red roses have been
turned into purple and black, and white
ones into all the colors of the rainbow.
Rose bushes have been converted into
trees and vines, bearing flowers in
clusters, like grapes. Chrysanthemums
have been made to bloom like sunfowers,
and lilies and tulips have been raised in
darkness and light SO that their original
characteristics were almost totally OBJ
liberated.
In modern plant experimental labora-
tory the electric light arc creates trans
formations that astonish the most hard
ened investigator. Night and day the
bright light stimulates the plants in
their growth, while all sunshine is cut
out from the building. The delicate
violet grows rapidly, maturing its flow
ers within few weeks. The rose flow
ers with most brilliant colors months
ahead of it's regular season. The reds
are intensified in brightness, but they
fade quickly. Born in day and night,
their period of usefulness is measured by
the same short span of existence. When
brought to the light of day they grow
sickly and fade rapidly.
The electric arc has produced roses
eight inches in diameter and violets more
than an inch across. Tulips become
giants, and chrysanthemums resemble
cabbages in size. Experiments with
electricity show further that the light
modified by different colored globes pro-
duces varied results. Red globes in
tensify the growth and increase the bril-
liancy Of colors, but they also weaken
the vitality of the plants. The flowers
quickly fall away and decay, and the
plants succumb to ordinary diseases or
to chills. White globes, which dissipate
the rays and spread them more uniform
ly, make the plants grow steadily and
satisfactorily. But the yellow globes so
far have given the best satisfaction,
while blue ones apparently neutralize
the whole effect of the electric light