GARDEN ELECTRICITY

Evening Star, Issue 19615, 22 July 1927, Page 6

GARDEN ELECTRICITY

TRIAL BEIK6 ME iH DUNEDiH WONDERS CONFIDENTLY PREDICTED Early in this month came to Dunedin a cablegram from the United States as to Admiral Bullard’s amazing success with barley, to the growing of which electricity had been applied. Trials on the same lines were begun in Australia eighteen months ago, and they already give high promise. Now the science known as clectrocnlture is introduced to New Zealand. The first installation set up iu the dominion is at Rangiora, in North Canterbury. It was erected at the time oi the Duke of York’s visit, so nothing can bo said as to the results in New Zealand further than that seeds treated as the inventor of the scheme recommends have come up stronger and healthier than untreated seeds of the same sort sown at the same time. Encouraged thereby, and inspired by the well-authenticated reports Irom Franco and elsewhere as to the marvellous results obtained by electro-culture, Mr A. E. Hayman, of Highclift road, beyond Anderson’s Bay, has commenced an installation according to the prescribed methods, and a representative of the ‘Star’ was permitted to look over the preparations this week. One pole is already in position on Mr Hayman’s property, and another is being erected for the iertilising of his big hothouse. The subject is cntrancingly interesting, and of potential value to the public, since Mr Hayman is already willing to let horticulturists see what ho is doing, and he hopes to be able to show great results when the growing season comes round. The man to whom is due the credit for the origin and development of this science is Justin Christofleau, a member of the Society of Scientists and Inventors of France. The apparatus is simple and inexpensive. A 2011 pole supports a bunch oi wires that point upwards. From the base of the wires there is a wire that comes dowii_ the pole and is buried a foot deep in a furrow that must be north and south. The further end of the wire is kept in place by a staple at the end of a light post. Tliat is all the gear. The claim, abundantly proved by accredited testifiers, is that by this process atmospheric electricity is supplied to the soil for Oft on each side of the wire, and that Nature alone can thus be drawn upon to fertilise the ground, giving nil the nourishmen necessary to plant life, and at the same time freeing the soil of noxious grubs and other pests. There is absolutely no expense for upkeep, and no manuring is required. A further wonder is that the wire can be extended beyond one’s own garden by simply joining on another wire.

It is stated that Germany has in vain offered twelve million francs for the world’s right of 31. Christofleau’.s apparatus, also that the influence of the wire intensifies year by year instead of wearing out. Recently a. statement came frtfm Perth (W.A.) to the effect that the Department of Agriculture there seriously doubted the efficacy of elect reculture, its experiments not proving satisfactory. Since then Mnddrou Pros., of Christchurch, who arc the New Zealand agents, have received a cablegram from Mr A. Trouchert, of Perth, embodying a statement by Mr Sutton, the Director of Agriculture in West Australia, that the report ns to the results is' to bo disregarded, since it has been found that the wire was not laid north and south, as insisted noon, but X.X.W. and S.S.E.