624 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Sept., 191 1 



Japan's own quota, speaks for itself, and this in spite of competition with- 

 artificial manures. The Japanese recognize the value of organic manures. 



Australians do not attach enough importance to the value of humus as- 

 an element of fertility. There is a marked deficiency of this substance 

 over practically the whole of our continent, and this is due to the character 

 of the vegetation. Our trees are evergreen, and consequently do not shed 

 their leaves. In most other countries the deciduous trees predominate, and 

 a large amount of organic matter in the shape of fallen leaves is added to 

 the soil year by year. This becomes decomposed into what is called 

 humus, principally by bacterial action, and this substance becomes one of 

 the great sources of nitrogen for the food of plants. A soil well supplied 

 with humus is generally regarded as fertile. Another great value of 

 organic matter and its resulting humus is its capacity for holding moisture 

 and keeping the soil open in texture. This is why farmyard manure is so 

 appreciated in this country. Soy bean cake, if it can be bought cheaply 

 enough, would be a splendid organic manure for our lands, especially as 

 it also contains a very high percentage of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. 



Green Manure. — The remarks under the previous heading apply also to^ 

 the use of the plant as a green manure. 



Analysis of Green Soy Be-.n Plants. 



