CAMPBELL'S son, rin/rnKK MAN'UAL 105 



explanation of the way soils gain fertility until he uses the 

 term "bacteria." It is a useful term, and has a meaning 

 fairly well understood, but the term is made to cover a 

 good deal that is simply so mysterious that no explanation 

 is offered. It is a fact, however, that the development 

 of bacteria in the soil bears close relation to its fertility, 

 and that these bacteria, whatever they may be in fact, 

 play a very important part in making the soil what it 

 ought to be for the greatest amount of plant food. 



ELEMENTS OF FERTILITY. 



There are several things in this connection that may 

 be regarded as well settled. 



1 . Soil fertility is due to the proper combination 

 of elements in the soil. 



2. Soil fertility is developed in the soil by the proper 

 tilling of the soil, so as to have available the right propor- 

 tions of air, water, and other elements. 



3. Soil fertility is possible to a high degree in almost 

 every soil, and the addition of fertilizers is only one way 

 of gaining this condition. 



Again we repeat that all the processes of agriculture 

 look to development and maintenance in the soil, of this 

 available fertility which is so essential to plant growth. 

 The farmer must bear this ever in mind. He turns over 

 the sod or the stubble, not merely to pulverize the surface 

 for a seed bed, or to kill the weeds, but he does it with 

 a view to creating a physical condition of the soil suitable 

 for development of fertility. He may never know why the 

 mineral elements combine just as they do to make plant 

 food, but it is enough for him to know they do it, then to 

 do his part in preparing the way. 



Good crop results from our fields is our great desire, 



