The new venture covers both these obligations : an electric
farm is to be established, where the use of electrical apparatus will be both demonstrated and investigated : the present needs of the British farmer and research on behalf of all farmers in the future will both receive due attention. I think I may say that the ideas of the Director are first that electricity on the farm has already proved its virtue in. certain definite respects ; secondly that a number of remoter applications, such as the stimulation of plants by electric vibrations, of several sorts, call for further scientific investi- gation.' Astonishing results have been achieved (for example, by Mr. Borlase Matthews, at East Grinstead) in the stimulation of growing plants by both light and power. The most remark- able that I have myself seen was the growth of lettuces in a frame underlaid with an elaborate system of electric wires ; and hardly less astonishing was the effect of heat and light on certain florists' flowers in a small green-house. The date of flowering could be advanced by weeks with some certainty. Many years ago Sir Oliver Lodge tried the influence of over- head wires on field crops, and even in that rough and pioneer attempt got some results that promised well. Nevertheless, all this side of the possible co-operation between agriculture and electricity remains comparatively uninvestigated and unproven. The strictest of scientific tests are called for, and it will probably be a long time before laboratory results will affect the practical grower in his business.
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