The Pkoblem of Impoverished Lands. 113 



a mixture might also contain much decaying vegetable or organic 

 matter, and this would make the physical condition of the soil such 

 that it would be very fertile. 



4. What is inoi'ganic tiiatte)' f 



All matter which is not a part or product of a living organism is 

 inorganic or mineral matter, as a stone or a piece of iron. The hulk 

 of the soil is made up of finely pulverized stone, and is, therefore, 

 inorganic matter. 



5. WJuit is organic matter f 



Matter which has life or has been produced by living organisms. 

 An animal or a tree, either living or dead, is organic matter. The 

 humus of the soil is decaying organic matter. 



6. Why are sods from which a thrifty forest gro'wth has heen 

 removed capahle at once of producing good farm crops f 



Largely because of theii" good physical condition, due chiefly to 

 the presence of large quantities of lunnus. 



7. Have you ever observed lichen {sometimes called '■^ moss^'') 

 groiving on hare rock or on a tombstone f 



This question is intended to call attention to the fact that low 

 forms of plant life are important in the early stages of soil formation. 



8. If any great amount of lichen should become mixed with the 

 disintegrated rock, wotdd it be humus and form a xoeak soil that 

 might produce an order of plants a little larger and stronger than 

 lichen ? 



This mixing of the moss with the pulverized rock would be the 

 first step toward making a soil of good physical qualities. 



9. As the higher orders of plants come in and die down and mix 

 with the soil, would the process increase the productive power of 

 the soil f 



Yes, within certain limits. The more decaving; veo;etable matter 

 the soil contains, generally the more productive it is. 



10. In instances in lohich soil has been removed by grading, 

 could a new soil be well made by adding commercial fertilizer 

 alone f What woidd you apply first to such land? 



The addition of humus would beof first importance. Commercial 

 fertilizers would do littie good applied to a soil in which there is no 

 8 



