This is from the files of my maternal grandmother, Wilma Stahley. She
was born in a sod house on the Nebraska prairie when it was still a
territory.
Place lump of coal in quart size fish bowl, pour 1/4 cup table salt
over coal. Add about 1/4 cup water, being careful not to wash salt
off the coal. Add 3 drops each of red, yellow, blue, and green food
coloring on top of salt.
When salt begins to "grow" the colors blend together, making a
colorful water garden. Add 1 tb of water each day--carefully avoid
washing away the salt formations.
