ANOTHER CASE OP EXPANSION. 195 



pits of a plant-house, where the temperature and moisture 

 could be easily controlled. A rich bed of compost from a 

 spent hotbed was prepared, which was four feet wide, fifty 

 feet long, and about six inches in depth. Here, under 

 the fostering care of Professor Maynard, the seeds germi- 

 nated, the vine grew vigorously, and the squash lifted in 

 a most satisfactory manner. The experiment was watched 

 day and night by relays of the scientists interested. An 

 ingeniously constructed apparatus for testing the lifting 

 power of the plant consisted of a frame of seven-inch 

 boards. In this framework the harnessed squash was de- 

 posited, the harness consisting of iron straps completely 

 encircling the squash. To the harness was attached a 

 lever on which were placed the weights to measure the 

 lifting capacity of the vegetable. As the growing squash 

 elevated the weights, others were added. 



' ' A careful record kept shows that the lifting done was 

 as follows : 



Pounds. 



Twenty-first of the month 60 



Twenty-second of the month 69 



Twenty-third of the month 91 



Twenty-fourth of the month 162 



Twenty-fifth of the month 225 



Twenty-sixth of the month 277 



Twenty-seventh of the month 356 



Thirty-first of the month 500 



Eleventh of next month i , 100 



Thirteenth of next month i , 200 



Fourteenth of next month 1,300 



Fifteenth of next month i ,400 



Twenty-seventh of next month 1,600 



Thirtieth of next month 2,015 



Third of third month 2,115 



Twelfth of third month 2,500 



Eighteenth of third month 3, 120 



Twenty-fourth of third month 4, 120 



Thirty-first of third month 5,000 



