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One medium sized lump of BEAVER coal, add six tablespoonfuls of water, six tablespoonfuls of salt and six tablespoonfuls of bluing. Put this mixture in a bowl. The lump of coal in a day or two begins to sprout a white crystalline substance which "grows" day by day [as the water evaporates]. If bluing is used a bluish tinge appears on the white covering. The general color effect can be varied with a few drops of color, and the "plant" keeps growing as long as salt water is added.
Don't miss this opportunity to spring a real surprise on your friends.
A handy substitute for bluing: mercurochrome.—ED.