Instructions for growing a crystal garden.

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This is a good one for a science fair project. Crystals are formed on the charcoal because water is drawn into the brick leaving the solids behind. The ammonia, bluing and salt form a complex crystal. Materials needed: brick or charcoal brickettes, table salt, ammonia, bluing, hammer, cereal bowl, medicine dropper, water, food coloring. Break brick or charcoal into small pieces (I always left my charcoal whole) Place several pieces in the center of a bowl (I used a disposable pie tin) Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup liquid bluing, 1/4 cup water and one Tablespoon ammonia together. Pour the solution over the pieces of coal or brick. Fill the medicine dropper with food coloring and drop small amounts over the pile. Leave the dish alone now and let the crystals grow. The crystals will rumble easily so don't move the dish around much.