Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1907-12-26

of its roots, derives from the soil fer,
tilizers. Of all the processes that
constitute links in the chain of or
ganic vegetable activity, none is so
wonderful as are those associated
with the building up of a green leaf.
The chlorophyl granules embedded in
protoplasm constitute the green pig
ment Of leaves forming the field of
chemical activity, the function of
which is to find nutriment for the
leaves, and through them the plant,
during the active period of its exist
ence; but this ch1orophyl function Of
plant nutrimcnt cannot be exercised
unless, 1t is receiving the violent actin
&c or chemically stimulating rays from
the sun or its substitute, the arc cleo.
trio light. The chemical rays of the
sun exercise other functions, which
result in promoting the exercise of the
respiratory organs of plants. Other
phases in the life of plant appear
to correlate with the changing inten-
sity and character of the solar light
during the diurnal period. Further, it
is we'll known that while roots and
stalks Of plants are nourished by fluid
foods, the leaves are principally fed by
gaseous ones. Nature, again, provides
a warm environment to roots during
cold periods, such as covering of de-
cayed leaves or snow. 1t will be OBJ
vfous from the above to the most
casual observer that if near imita-
ton of natural forces is to be secured
for the artificial cultivation of plants
independently of the sun and weather
the following agents must be assem-
bled and harnessed for the common
object: (a) An ample supply of violet
or chemically active rays projected
from powerful and moving arc lights;
(b) a supply of electro.static current
for atmospheric and root electrified
ton; (c) the plant environment of an
atmosphere containing moisture and
in the proportion common to the most
fertile countries, and at temperatures
within the limits Of 20 degrees Fab.
heit and so degrees Fahrenheit; (d)
an ideal fertilizing agent; (e) an
ample supply of water for the roots
service.
Seeing that the installation at the
botanic gardens has only been in op.
Grafton for few weeks, it is too early
yet to make any pronouncement, but
the requisite agents are, it. is hoped,
being furnished by the system now
under test. AS to the machinery that
is accomplishing this, any lengthy or
technical description need not here be
given. Briefly, it consists of modern
producer suction gas engine coupled
to dynamo. The electric energy de-
veloped by this plant is allocated to
the feeding of the arc lights and
travelling gear in the greenhouse. An
electro-static machine driven from the
gas engine crank shaft discharges
electricity at various points in the
glasshouse to electrify not only thu
air, but the plants and their roots al
we'll. The stored heat developed b,
the engine is utilized for maintaining
the greenhouse at the desired temper
AZURE. Placed just below t he roo
OF the house are two rails from which
depend the arc lights, the most inter
esting device probably in the whole
plant to the general visitor. 1t is
equipped with special reflector hoods
by which the beam of light is con
fined within narrow limits of concen
tration. The open end of the hood
Is closed in by water screen. made