ELECTROCULTURE

Shannon News, 23 September 1927, Page 2

ELECTROCULTURE

KILLS ALL BUGS AND WEEDS. FE R Till SE R S UNNEC ESS ARY. _ Rapid and effective means of destroying prickly pear and other Australian insect and weed posts are being' demonstrated successfully on the farms on a New York millionaire, who is not financially interested in [ the invention. Farmers call the invention "radio ploughing,” since an electric plough is used. The inventor calls it '•Electroculture,” The inventor, Hamilton Rowe, states: "The plough is so constructed that here are two plough blades which Throw in.’ As the blades pass through the soil, an intense electrical field is created between them, producing an effect on insect and small animal life. A second treatment is necessary to kill weeds and to put nitrogen into the soil.” Rowe is confident that the plough will exterminate many pests that the Australian farmers have to tight, including - the dreaded prickly pear. He is exhibiting adjoining fields of various crops, one field treated in the ordinary way, and the other ploughed by his machine. The crops of the latter are free from weeds and bugs, despite recent x-ains, while the others, although the greatest care was taken, ai-e yielding thick crops of weeds. Rowe poin's out that he is growing the first crop of bugless potatoes ever seen locally. Th e power for the radio plough is generated from a tractor which pulls the plough.