ACTION OF ANTISEPTICS 133 



which have been treated with antiseptic agents. There 

 is at first a great decrease of bacteria, but this is soon 

 followed by a rapid development of organisms and the 

 production of considerable amounts of ammonium com- 

 pounds which increase the immediate fertility of the 

 soil. Nitrifying bacteria added to soils which have been 

 heated are checked for a time by the toxic substances 

 produced, whereas they develop freely and at once when 

 added to a soil which has been partially sterilized by 

 treatment with toluene. 



