Tlie Fascinating Art of Soil Building 59 



sorbent material which will soak up water and 

 hold it for a long time. 

 4. This is supplied by "humus" or decayed 

 vegetable matter. Soils without humus ab- 



This gardener looks like a sure-enough scientist. But you don't have to 

 be that to have a lot of fun mixing up your own soil to get just the 

 results you want. 



sorb little moisture, and yet get wet and sticky 

 when they are watered, and lumpy and hard 

 when they dry out. Hence the necessity for 

 humus. 

 5. Too much water is fatal for the bacteria and 



