Dates
Benjamin Franklin, born on January 17, 1706, not only was a world-renowned statesman, inventor, and scientist, but also was fascinated by agriculture. To demonstrate the value of gypsum as fertilizer, he applied it to a field in a pattern that spelled out, 鈥淭his land has been plastered.鈥 Sure enough, clover in the fertilized area exhibited more vigorous growth.
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