Last month, a team of plant biologists dug up a bottle of seeds on Michigan State University's campus buried by botanist, W.J. Beal, in 1879 and planted
Derrick L. Turner/Michigan State University
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Researchers search for the Beal Bottle, to continue the seed germination study, first done over 140 years ago. Derrick L. Turner/Michigan State University
It was four 4 o clock in the morning, well before sunrise, and cold. A light wintry mix of rain and snow was falling. The lousy weather was a relief, as it meant even less of a chance that someone might randomly pass by. The small group of scientists didn t want anyone to see what they were about to do.
They d brought flashlights, a shovel, a trowel, a tape measure, and an old map. The map looked more like a blueprint than a pirate s guide to buried treasure. Still, it did show the secret location of something precious stashed away underground.
One of the Worldâs Oldest Science Experiments Comes Up From the Dirt
Every 20 years under the cover of darkness, scientists dig up seeds that were stashed 142 years ago beneath a college campus.
Researchers at Michigan State University searched for a buried bottle, a multicentury attempt to figure out how long seeds can lie dormant in the soil without losing their ability to germinate.Credit.Derrick L. Turner/Michigan State University
By Cara Giaimo
April 21, 2021, 5:00 a.m. ET
On Thursday morning, several hours before sunrise, Marjorie Weber arrived at a rendezvous spot on the campus of Michigan State University. Three of the schoolâs other plant scientists were already there, waiting in dribbling snow. As they stood around blowing on their hands, the fifth member of their crew, Frank Telewski, âemerged from the darkness with a shovel slung over his shoulder,â Dr. Weber said.
Derrick L. Turner/Michigan State University
Originally published on April 21, 2021 4:09 pm
It was 4 o clock in the morning, well before sunrise, and cold. A light wintry mix of rain and snow was falling. The lousy weather was a relief, as it meant even less of a chance that someone might randomly pass by. The small group of scientists didn t want anyone to see what they were about to do.
They d brought flashlights, a shovel, a trowel, a tape measure and an old map. The map looked more like a blueprint than a pirate s guide to buried treasure. Still, it did show the secret location of something precious stashed away underground.
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