BACTERIZED PEAT 91 



symbiosis between the two organisms, and that the 

 work of both is facilitated by the co-operation. 



We are in a position now to appreciate the second 

 and concluding stage in the production of bacterized 

 peat. The treated sterilized peat, rich in organic 

 material that the bacteria are able to utilize, receives 

 a mixed culture of Bacillus radicicola and Azotobacter 

 chroococcum. The bacteria, being at a temperature 

 best suited to their growth and with an abundant 

 supply of the food material that they require, 

 multiply rapidly and permeate the mass of the peat. 

 When the whole peat mass is saturated, the action 

 is stopped by drying the peat, and the material is 

 ready to be applied to the seed or to the soil. 



From what we have already seen, there are three 

 ways in which the soil might be expected to derive 

 benefit from the application of the peat. In the 

 first instance, the richness of the peat in soluble 

 humus should increase the richness of the soil from 

 the point of view of the food elements it contains. 

 Secondly, if leguminous plants are present, they 

 should derive special benefit from the fact that the 

 ground is being inoculated with the bacteria neces- 

 sary for the infection of their roots and the resulting 

 fixation of Nitrogen. Lastly, whatever the plants 

 grown, the soil should become enriched in nitrog- 

 enous foodstuffs available for the plants, because 

 the bacteria necessary for taking Nitrogen from the 

 air in the soil and for transforming it into nitrog- 

 enous food material have been added to the soil 

 and supplied with the exact foods which they require 

 for healthy growth. So much for what was 



