FOREWORD 



THE interest aroused in bacterized peat during the 

 last two years is sufficient reason for the publication 

 of a popular book dealing with the recent researches 

 on humus formation, nitrogen-fixation, and acces- 

 sory plant-food bodies (auximones) . Owing to pres- 

 sure of other duties I had neither time nor oppor- 

 tunity to undertake the work myself, but in leaving 

 this task to my friend Mr. Knox I had every confi- 

 dence that the subject would neither lose in accuracy 

 of fact nor in the interest of its presentation. 



Mr. Knox's literary ability, combined with his 

 scientific training, render him peculiarly well fitted 

 to write a book popular in style, yet without sacri- 

 ficing the scientific side of the subject. Mr. Knox 

 has submitted to me the manuscripts of the various 

 chapters, and it is a pleasure for me to be able to 

 say, at his request, that I can take full responsibility 

 for all the results which he has described. 



I can confidently recommend Mr. Knox's book as 

 an accurate and popular exposition of a new develop- 

 ment in agriculture and horticulture which may have 

 an important bearing on the national food-supply. 



W. B. BOTTOMLEY. 



BOTANICAL LABORATORIES, 

 UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, 

 KING.'S COLLEGE. 



3593^7 



