THE NEW AGRICULTUEE. 217 



The body of a man cut up into pieces, each of which was as small 

 as a bacteria, and each piece placed before the other, would create a 

 line of atoms of flesh one hundred and ninety million miles long, or 

 long enough to pass around the earth six and one-half thousand 

 times. This illustration will enable the reader to get an idea of 

 the minuteness of these small plants, which may be floating in the 

 air we breathe by the millions and yet not be observed. Bacteria 

 reproduce themselves with wonderful rapidity. They withdraw a 

 portion of the constituents of the vital part they attack, and there- 

 by cause an enfeebled condition and ultimate destruction. There 

 are many kinds of bacteria, each of which appears to have an im- 

 portant work in the economy of nature. It is wonderful to think 

 that the Almighty brings about remarkable results from such in- 

 finitisimal creations. When the bodies of animals, plants and fruits 

 have ceased to be of further use, it is desirable that they should be 

 transformed into a condition where they may be absorbed and used 

 in the construction of other forms. Bacteria seem to have been 

 created largely for this work. Thus they assist to transform fallen 

 logs into vegetable mould, and defunct animals and fruit into food 

 supplies for other organisms. No doors or windows are close 

 enough to keep out bacteria. Wherever the air can enter they 

 can enter also. 



" Professor Arthur, of the New Jersey Experimental Station, spoke 

 of his experiments with pear blight. While Professor Burrill has 

 previously claimed that pear blight was caused by bacteria, some 

 of our most practical men throughout the country, like President 

 Barry, of Rochester, N. Y., and others, have had serious doubts 

 whether blight might not be the result rather than the cause. 

 Professor Arthur's experiments have cleared up all doubts on this 

 question. We know now the true cause of pear blight, and are in 

 a much better condition to fight it than ever before. It is difficult 



