12 



Bacteria in Relation to Country Life 



Fig. 3. Chemical and bacteriological investigations of New Jersey soils. 



formation, also, of compounds containing lime, magnesia, 

 phosphoric acid, and potash. We have learned to reckon 

 with these organisms in our methods of soil-improve- 

 ment, and have made some progress towards success- 

 ful systems of soil-inoculation. 



The bacteria concerned in industrial processes have 

 received a not inconsiderable share of attention, and 

 have fully repaid it. The canning industries, the brew- 

 ing industries, the manufacture of wine, cider, and 

 vinegar, the fermentation of tobacco, the retting of 

 flax, the tanning of leather, the pickling of vegetable 

 substances, and of fish, and, above all, the treatment 

 of milk and its products, have been benefited by the 

 study of bacterial friends and foes. We find, thus, that 

 bacteriology, resting on the foundations laid in the latter 

 half of the last century, touches human existence at 

 many points and lights the way for new conquests. 



