70 THE BUSINESS OF FARMING 



supply of nitrogen from decaying vegetation or 

 organic matter, and from the air through the work 

 of those soil bacteria, which make their homes in 

 the root nodules of those plants known as the ni- 

 trogen gathering plants or the legumes, and who 

 draw for their food the nitrogen from the air, 

 and drawing more than they need, store the sur- 

 plus in the soil where it becomes available for 

 plant food. 



Worn-out soils are always deficient in ventila- 

 tion, organic matter, nitrogen, humus and soil 

 bacteria. 



Soils must be ventilated so that bacteria may 

 live in them and that oxygen may reach the plant 

 roots, for we have stated that it is as necessary 

 for plant roots to breathe as human or animal 

 beings. 



If we would but reflect and investigate we will 

 find that in human, animal, insect and vegetable 

 life, and even in inanimate substances, the great- 

 est law is the law of service. Men and women 

 make their lives one of service for their families 

 and fellowmen. In the animal world one animal 

 gives up its life that man or another animal may 

 live. One insect is made to serve as food for an- 

 other. The plant grows in the soil and with its 

 roots caresses the rock particles of the soil stored 

 with mineral plant food, and coaxes from them 

 the mineral wealth which it utilizes for its food, 

 lives its life, dies, and gives its body back to the 

 soil to decay and become the food of soil bacteria 

 whose mission is to compound the decaying body 

 of the plant into plant food and humus for future 

 plant growth. All have been lives of service, and 



