766 PRINCIPLES OF SOIL MICROBIOLOGY 



able quantities of energy in their bodies. Their direct role in definite 

 soil processes has not been established as yet, although some information 

 seems to point to the fact that by removing the old bacterial cells, they 

 may even exert a beneficial effect. The possibility that some protozoa 

 exist as saprophytes in the soil, taking perhaps a part in the decomposi- 

 tion of the soil organic matter, is not excluded. 



We may conclude in the words of Miege 81 that disinfection of soil 

 still presents too many obscurities and uncertainties. It is certain 

 that it cannot be presented as a panacea capable of remedying the ills 

 from which agriculture suffers. A detailed review of the subject of 

 soil disinfection, from theoretical and practical viewpoints, is given 

 elsewhere. 82 



81 Miege, E. Les nouvelles theories de la fertilization des terres. Compt. 

 Rend. Soc. Nat. Agr. France. March, 1914; also Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci., 164: 

 362-365. 1917. 



82 Vogt, E. Methoden der Schadlingsbekampfung. III. Bodendesinfektion. 

 Centrbl. Bakt. II, 61: 323-356. 1924. 



