Life in the Soil 133 



nitrates; some, in the manures before application, are to 

 be guarded against as denitrifying agents; and that an 

 abundance of vegetable matter mixed in farm manures is 

 of final benefit to the soil through the furnishing of food 

 for the beneficial organisms that bring about its decay 

 and the liberation of its nitrogen in the readily available 

 form of nitrates. It is also true that the more rapidly 

 manure is spread on the soil after being made, the better 

 for the crops, and the more it will aid in keeping up bac- 

 terial hfe in the soil. Therefore, do not be afraid of straw 

 or leaves or any bedding material, except sawdust and 

 shavings which, through their acidity and slowness of 

 decay may, to some extent, be harmful. But, as a rule, 

 get with the manure all the good vegetable matter you can, 

 and get it out on the land, where leaching will meet plant 

 roots ready to absorb it. 



