The Opelousas courier., 1905-04-15
ELECTRIC RISE TlNTS.
STRONG ARC RAYS TURN THEM
TO BEAUTIFUL NEW SHADES.
Roses Produced That Are More Than
EIGHT inches In Diameter and VIC
let's More Than an Inch Acre

The following from the New
Herald is interesting and well VIII
ten.
Flowers that bloom today exceed
al creations OF nature. Violets are
doubled and triyi4d in size. 4 race OF
pansies has been raised up to meas
ure two inches acrJs5 their faces
Red roses have been turned into pur'
pie and black and white ones into al
the colors CT the rainbow. Rose
bushes have been converted into
trees and vines, bearing flowers IN
clusters, like grapes. Chrysantne'
NUNS have been made to bloom like
sunf0Wers and lilies and tulips have
been raised in darkness and light sc
that their original characteristics
were almost totally o~bliterated.
Iii 4 modern p!aGt experimental lab
cratory the electric lig2t arc creates
transformations that astonlsh the
most hardened investigator. Night
and day the bright light stimulates
the plants in their growth. while ali
sunshine ia cut cut or the building.
The delicate violet grows rapiu!.!, ma
turing in flowers in q few weeks.
The rose hover with most brilliant
colors months ahead of is regular
Season. The reds are intensified II
brightness, u they lade quickly
Born in a day and night, thelr perIo1
of usefulness is measured by The
SAME snort span Uf existence. When
brought to the light OF day they grow
sickly and fade rapidly.
The electric arc has produced roses
eight ihChts i'll diameter and ylelets
more than an inch across. Tulips
become giants, and cnrysalthemums
resemble ~cabhag2s in size. Expert
ments with electricity show further
that the light modified By different
colored globes produces varied re-
suits. Red globes intensity the
growth and increase the br.lliancy OF
colors, but they also weaken the Vital
Of the pants. The flowers quick
ly fall away and decay and the plants
White globes, which liss'pata
the rays and spread Eaem more uni
formly, make the plants grow stead
ny and satisfactorily. But the yell
low globes so far have given the best
satisfaction; while blue ones arpar-
emily n%eutral;ze thc whlls effect ct
the electric light. a
Electricity is nc$life, but is stimu-
life in pants: It's adaptation
may yst revoiutionlze horticulture. IN
our homes lighted by electricity the
conservatory becomes an experiment;
tai garden. We modify the lights
shades suited to the needs Of
The different pottea plants. The SICK
ones are revived by a course in elee-
trio therapeutics. The pots are plac-
ed near the incandescent or arc lights
according to the amount OF light and
stimulation they heed, and under
powerful influence lney revive,
and their diseases are destroyed.
The disease producing insects can
not stand the fierce giare Of the elee-
trio light placed within a few feet OF
them. They attempt to hide beneath
the leaves OF in the stems, but the
light penetrates all, d~lslOuging Or de-
stroying them. The powerful white
rays are so destructive to insect life
a course of electric therapeutics
is now used instead of poisonous
sprays in laboratories to clean the
In the homes where the electric
light cannot be used, the employment
Of ordinary sunlight, magnffied and
modified by glass and mirrors, is
made possible. The amateur flower
grower will find the sunlight suscep'
tible of considerable change and ma
First, the exclusion OF all
white rays by covering the windows
with red glass or red curtains is inn
Tie powerful rays directed
o4 J4l4 plants stimulate and then de-
5troy, driving away the insects.
The modified yellow and white rays
are employed to increase or decrease
the tendency of the flowers to bloom
early. Forcing can be accomplished
easily by means Of the proper light,
moisture, and heat. With mirrors
placed in the conservatory the suns
rays can be reflected upon the grow
winter plants at all hours of the
day. This is a gain which proves of
.nestimable value to one raising win
low plants under unfavorabla sur
By means of a mirror
placed outside the window the suns
rays are reflected inside, and then by
means of smaller ones they are
spread all over the conservatory.
Next in order is the employment of
sunlight On the roots. Until recently
his was not attempted. Now it is
found that certain plants, such as
palms and ferns, do far better when
he light can penetrate the flower
pots and reach the soil near tie roots.
Class flower holders, therefore, have
come into use for ferns and palms.
The light, penetrating through the
glass sides, does not exactly reach
he roots, but shines upon the soil
and keeps it Sweet" The effect is
almost like magic. The roots come
into use for terms and palms. The
insects, grubs and similar plant enc
mics cannot thrive in this light soil,
they rarely get a a n to injure
he roots.
OUR AGRICULTURAL ANTS.
\ Texas Species Operates a Corn.