High Frequency Apparatus Page 153

CHAPTER XVI. HIGH FREQUENCY PLANT CULTURE High Frequency Cultivation.-The successful generation of an electric current at high potential and high frequency offers a problem not easy of solution, particularly if this current is to be put to practical use for long-continued periods of time. While there are several methods of producing the current, only one will be considered here as the others are deemed impractical for amateur use. The generator to be described is designed for hard duty. The complete apparatus comprises a transformer, condenser, spark gap and an oscillation transformer. In the construction of the apparatus, a fairly complete electrical knowledge is essential. The high-voltage transformer must be carefully made and properly insulated, while the accessory apparatus requires not a little mechanical skill for its successful completion. Once constructed, however, the operation of the outfit is a simple matter and quite within reach of the average fruit or vegetable grower. In order to simplify the explanation, the description of the transformer will be divided into sections, each bearing the appropriate heading. In accordance with the inevitable policy of this book, the data for transformers of various frequencies are given in the full-page plate appended. The description is for the 60-cycle instrument, and, as the construction of the 153