Science: Inventions of the Month

¶ By the Army Chemical Warfare Service: a new fire bomb, the M-74, said to be even more effective than the jellied-gasoline M69 (TIME, April 2). A concoction of phosphorus, magnesium, asphalt, gasoline and other chemicals, the 10-lb. bomb throws gobs of clinging, white-hot lava which are hotter and harder to put out than gasoline.

¶ By the U.S. Department of Agriculture: a method of starting plants indoors under fluorescent light.