Dr. Siemens had previously read-a paper to the Association on
the forcing of plants by electricity. He placed a lamp of 4,000 candle-power inside a glass house of 2,318 cubic-feet capa- city, and suspended another like it over some sunk greenhouses. Lanterns of clear glass were placed round the lights, and they were then burnt continuously all night except on Sunday, the gardener, Mr. Buchanan, being presumably Scotch, and doubtful of the orthodoxy of the Creator in allowing the sun to shine on Sabbaths. The result was extraordinary. " Peas which had been sown at the end of October produced a harvest of ripe fruit on the 16th of February. Raspberry-stalks put into the house on the 16th of December produced ripe fruit on the 1st of March, and strawberry plants put in about the same time produced ripe fruit of excellent flavour and colour on the 14th of February. Vines which broke on the 26th of December pro- duced ripe grapes of stronger flavour than usual on the 10th of March." The cereals did not flourish under glass, the stalks proving too weak to bear the grain, but they flourished in the open air under the light. Dr. Siemens' conclusion is that sleep is not essential to the health of the product of the plant, though it may be essential, pending further experiment, to the growth in full strength of the plant itself. You can work your vegetable slaves continuously, though, as yet, they must have food.
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