HC Deb 07 April 1911 vol 23 cc2671-2W
Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the Department has made, or caused to be made, any experiments in electrical stimulation; and, if so, can he state where such experiments have been conducted, with what crops, at what cost, and with what results?

Sir E. STRACHEY

Yes; experiments of the kind were carried out by the University of Bristol, to whom a grant of £50 was made by the Board in aid of the expenses. A report on the subject was published in the Board's Journal for April, 1910. I shall be glad to send a copy to my hon. Friend.

Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the value of the researches and experiments of Professor Priestly, of Bristol University, and others as showing the effect of the discharge of positive electricity on the development and the acceleration of growth of plants, the Board will either increase their present grant of £50 for the advancement of this work, or apply for a grant out of the Development Fund for this purpose?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The Board anticipate that under a general scheme for the promotion of agricultural research, which is now under the consideration of the Development Commissioners, funds will be available before long for investigations of the character suggested.