PEJAN90 THE POWERFUL SQUASH
At Amherst College, researchers experimented with a squash seed that had been planted in rich, fertile soil. Eventually the seed produced a squash as big as a soccer ball. Then the researchers placed a steel band around the squash. Attached to the steel band was a device for measuring “lifting power.” The purpose of the experiment was to determine the lifting power of the squash. As the squash continued to grow and to stretch the steel band, it reached a lifting power of 500 pounds. Amazing! Within two months the lifting power went up to 1,500 pounds. A month later it was 2,000 pounds. It was not until the lifting power had reached an incredible 5,000 pounds that the rinds broke. When the squash was opened, the researchers discovered that it had built up a whole network of tough fibers to fight against the pressure that was binding its growth. Moreover, the roots supporting the squash had reached out some…
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