2 
Garden Work 
But there are other ways in which the rocks and 
stones are slowly being converted into soil. In tropical 
countries, where frost is unknown, the varying changes 
of temperature have a somewhat similar, though slower, 
effect. The sandstorms, by their violence, are gradually 
grinding the sand into finer particles and bringing down 
loose pieces of rocks, which, in their turn, are gradually 
reduced to minute fragments. The sea, too, in its cease- 
less action, is an active soil-maker. Sandy soil is being 
constantly formed, owing to the action of the waves on 
the surrounding land. Similarly, a river, by its current, is 
gradually grinding rocks or stones that by many means are 
deposited in its bed. This powdered rock is either carried 
down to the sea or washed up on the banks, thus form- 
ing a deposit of rich mud. This is most plainly seen 
after a river has overflowed its banks. Usually, when 
the water regains its normal level, a thick layer of mud 
is found to have been deposited on the surrounding 
country. Again, the traffic on the roads and the heavy 
rains all help in the making of new soils. 
This, however, is only one part of the soil, and is 
called the mineral or inorganic part, formed from bodies 
that have no organs. Another very important part of 
our fertile soils is the vegetable and animal, or, as it 
is called, the organic portion of it. 
Lowly forms of plant life begin to grow on the earth's 
surface (plants, maybe, that are of a low organized form), 
the weaker ones die, the hardier continue to grow, ulti- 
mately producing reproductive organs, and in their turn 
dying too. Their remains gradually decay, and this de- 
caying vegetable matter, mixing with the mineral, or 
