12 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of bacteria are all very low, ranging from o-2 to 3-5 millions per gram, 

 and averaging 15 millions, while even in a poor normal soil they run 

 about 6 to 10 mil' ions per gram. There are not many earthworms 

 yet. Further, the wild vegetation is mainly of the type that grows 

 on exposed subsoils — e.g. coltsfoot, Equisetum, Lotus corniculatus, 

 &c, although in many places some of the grasses are coming on. The 

 analytical results are as follows : 





Waste Heap Planted 

 Thirty Years Ago. 



Usual for Normal Soil 

 of Similar Type. 



Nitrogen, per cent. .... 

 Bacterial numbers, millions per gram. 



Top 9" 

 OH 



i-5 



2nd 9" 

 0-07 

 02 



Top 9" j 2nd 9" 

 0-l8 ! O-IO 

 5 to IO 



When the War is over the Allied nations will find themselves con- 

 fronted by a great problem in soil making. Belts of country in 

 Northern France, Belgium and Italy and Serbia have been con- 

 siderably cut about by trenches and by shells. At present they have 

 a very dreary appearance : devastated country is always sad to look 

 upon. Perhaps some of the land is irretrievably ruined. But my 

 own view is that a good deal of the damage, like that done in an air 

 raid, is greater in appearance than in reality. A string of broken 

 windows and a litter of broken glass give an impression of a wrecked 

 thoroughfare, but an hour after the dustman and the glazier have 

 finished their work the district is much as it was before. 



When Peace comes the shell holes and the trenches will have to 

 be filled and the land levelled — for unless the land is level little can 

 be done. If this task proves physically impossible there may be 

 nothing for it but afforestation on the affected area. But once the 

 land is level the re-formation of the soil will not be beyond the resources 

 of science. Alteration of the mineral particles is hardly likely to be 

 attempted, but addition of organic matter will be quite feasible. 

 Leguminous crops grown and ploughed in will greatly help in re- 

 establishing the organic matter and the nitrogen supply ; lime, if 

 needed, is fortunately close at hand in Northern France. Practical 

 difficulties there will be, but nothing greater than our gallant Allies 

 have already overcome. Science is now being used as an engine of 

 destruction, but we are all hoping for the time when it can resume its 

 proper function d.nd serve as a great instrument for constructive 

 purposes. 



