148 LIVING ORGANISMS OF THE SOIL [chap. vii. 



far from being able to control the bacteria and other 

 organisms of the soil, we are beginning to realise both 

 the fundamental importance of the part they play in 

 the nutrition of the crop and the manner in which 

 they can be affected by processes and materials which 

 can be applied to the soil ; and though so far we have 

 only succeeded in explaining results that the practical 

 farmer had arrived at by experience, our knowledge 

 must in time lead to deliberate and conscious advances 

 in the way of utilising their powers to better effect. 



