The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-10-07
Idaho Country Life
ELECTRICITY AS A FERTILIZER

A great deal of experimentatio
has been going on during the pas
few years as to the results of electric
ity as stimulant to plant growth, bu
1t remained for ex-judge Thomas f
Williams, of Brooklyn, to give tn
new theory practical test on hi
farm at East Northport, l.. 1.
OF course 1t has been proven i
laboratory tests that electricity Wi
stimulate plant growth else this ella
borate test never would have bee,
planned. 1t is expected that IT,.
growth of all common vegetables
fruits and flowers will be greatly in
creased If not doubled by the mys
FERROUS stimulant. The people in
terested in this new farming pre-
dict a day when we will be raisins
twice the amount per, acre as re
snlt of electrical fertilizer.
On the Williams farm plot of two
acres favorably located has been sci
aside for the experiments. The
methods employed are closely copied
from the electric farms of Germany
where surprising results have been
obtained. AS the success of the new
method is proved the farm will be
enlarged.
New York's electric. farm will pre-
sent a curious appearance to the
iayman in such matters. The ground
used for the tests is planted with
Iron poles twelve feet in height, ar
ranged in regular rows. 1. The tops of
the poles are connected by series
of wires running crisscross fashion.
Their height above the ground will
be great enough to permit the work.
ers or even the farm wagons to pass
beneath.
The current used combines high
amperage with low voltage. 1t may
be supplied at comparatively light
expense, and with the aid of certain
improvements upon the German
method which Judge Williams is in
augurating it is believed that the
rev stimulant may be made practi-
ally commercial possibility.
Interesting tests have been made
o prove exactly how the electric
!uids work upon plant life. A capil-
airy tube when placed in water
harged with electricity shows just
low the stimulus of electricity is
cit. When the circuit is turned on
'ater is forced up the tube until it +
'rms several drops at the top. The
uantity of water which is thus rails
has been found to be in direct (
tito to the strength of the current
Dplied.
what happens to the isolated cap t
larry tube under the microscope is, h
course, repeated in millions of the e
pilary tubes of the vegetation un- t
er; electric cultureNy The current p
rVes to force the sap of the plant s
ward Just as it raises the drop of g
ater. The circulation of the little Il
be Is thus quickened the saps is h
FRIED further, and the plant is made p
grow faster.
When the current is turned on in W
electric farm the invisible fluid fe
Fps the distance from the cross I'll
res above the poles to the earth, fo
is passing through the plants CT
ich are In circuit. If the current tn
made strong enough long spark ed
j be formed between the wires and sy
ground. In damp weather the tn
sage of the electricity through the is
OFTEN produces a glow which is tn
lble for considerable distance. err
The stimulating effect of the cleo
'lty is greater than that of power tn
nitrates. The current acts sep ell,
tely, however, and may thus By all
d to further stimulate the action pill
The nitrates. If the growth of a be-
D. for instance, be increased so gr;
cent by using powerful nitrate. col
addition of the electrical treat gr
it will still further increase the for
With and produce remarkable re-
s.
Electrical farming has been car
on with great success near Lon
by Sir Oliver Lodge, as well as
ermany, Belgium, Russia, France VIII
Switzerland. The results Obtain of
vary considerably in different tina
tries. The general average would Jan
to indicate that an increase OF rea
80 to 20 per cent may be OBJ sto
I'd in the size of ordinary farm kee
5, and from so to so per cent pro
.eds and fruits, sou
ants have been compared grow farr
under natural conditions and pra,
the stifnulant of the electric nres