All the difficulties connected with the devising of apparatus has been
completely removed by the lecturer's successful invention of his new
magnetic crescograph in which practically unlimited magnification is
obtained without the difficulties arising from the unavoidable friction
of bearings. Magnetic forces are so exactly balanced that a disturbance
in the balance caused by slightest movements such as that of growth is
magnified ten millions of times. The application of this new principle
will be of great importance in various investigations in Physics.
Sir J. C. Bose next demonstrated some marvellous results obtained with
his apparatus. A seedling which on account of the Winter season appeared
stationary jotted down by taps on a moving plate, the rate of its
growth. The application of a chemical instantly arrested this growth,
but an antidote timely applied, not only removed the torpor but
enhanced the growth at an enormous rate. The life of the plant became
pliant at the will of the experimenter, and nothing appeared more
marvellous than the realisation that man has the power to pierce the
veil that shrouds the mystery that had hitherto baffled him.
The lecturer explained how the effect of a given agent--a chemical
solution or an electric current--is profoundly modified by the dose a
given intensity, producing one effect and a different intensity giving
rise to an effect diametrically opposite. This is the reason of the
inexplicable anomalies which have baffled many investigators. Numerous
are the forces which act on growth some helping, others retarding, the
effects being further modified by the strength and duration of
application. These factors that determine growth are each to be studied
in detail, and the laws of effect of each to be discovered. There can be
no real advance in scientific agriculture until this is done.
--_Amrita Bazar Patrika_, 19-1-1918.