CHAPTER XXXIX 



Plant Fkiends 



If we have plant enemies, it is pleasant to know that we 

 have plant friends. These may not be of very many kinds, 

 but they are many in number, and of course should be 

 encouraged. 



Bacteria I have already spoken of. They are useful in 

 making plant food in the soil. To encourage them we need 

 to keep the soil supplied with humus. 



Worms are good plant friends, because they also are making 

 the soil fit for plant life. Much 

 of the loam in the garden has 

 been, in past ages, prepared by 

 being passed through the bodies 

 of worms. A great man's study 

 of their habits is contained in 

 Darwin's "Vegetable Mold and 



Earthworms," where it is shown how they are constantly 

 busy in making the loam deeper. They, like bacteria, 

 prefer a soil that is full of humus, and they should be wel- 

 comed in any garden. 



Toads are notable foes of insects that harm plants. They 

 forage mostly at night, and help to keep the insects in check. 

 Toads do no harm whatever, in spite of what has in the past 

 been said against them. Therefore they, too, should be given 

 the freedom of the garden. 



Many insects are busy in killing those other ones which 



291 



Fig. 163. — Worms 

 friends of ours. 



