WHAT SCIENCE HAS DEVELOPED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2012, 22 February 1907, Page 3

WHAT SCIENCE HAS DEVELOPED.

Seed growing has had its new birth as well as other operations in the arts and sciences—a new birth noticeable to everyone in improved implements and tools, all great labor savers, but best ilustrated by best noting the development along scientific lines, as for example:—(l) The use by seedsmen of carbon-bisulphide and hydiocyanic acid gas in killing the weevil in seeds; also in killing under-surface

insects and grubs. (2) In spraying garden plants to stop on the one hand insect ravages, and, on the other hand, to stop tho extension of fungous diseases. (3) The use of electric light as introduced in France to force a nighttime growth of vegetables cultivated in forcing houses, a ‘ growth equal to 10 per cent, additional development and precocity. (4) The practice of nitroculturo, in connection with plants of the Loguminosro family, an innoculation with commercially made cultures of nitrogenfixing bacteria, much advancing the immediate development of peas and beans, and laying up a store of stimulating food for succeeding crops. (5) The artificial passage of electric currents by some German experimenters through tlie length and breadth of plant beds in vegetable forcing houses, for the purposo of stimulating increased cellular action, equal, it' is said, to 10 per cent, development, (6) The use of chloroform to produce an intense rest which makes it quite possible subsequently by the application of moisture and heat to gain 60 days’ advancement in tho blooming of flowering and fruit plants. (7) The use of electric air currents to stimulate the growth of garden and field crops, a gain of 20 to 60 per cent. (8) Tho electrocution of insects feeding upon vines and plants, both on their above and underground surfaces, particularly applicable to the case of grapes, roses, and fruit trees. (9) And among the latest scientific developments in connection with agriculture is the extraction and holding by mechanical and chemical. means of atmospheric nitrogen, and its subsequent incorporations with other things ill the making of a commercial fertiliser, the air offering a limitless mine out of which to collect the most important of all plant stimulants. This generalisation indicates that the higher practice of agriculture and horticulture, of which the seed grower is the first exponent, has already become one of the sciences.—(Florists’ Exchange.)