HARMFUL DUST-PLANTS 
The harmful work of bacteria and molds so far is 
seen to consist of two kinds, the production of unfavor¬ 
able conditions in food supplies, and in or on other 
property, as mildew on clothes, books or furnishings; 
in short, diseased conditions of our possessions. These 
diseases, if not cured, may be serious enough to destroy 
the property, while they may also cause similar diseased 
conditions in our own bodies, more or less severe, 
which may result in death. 
Bacteria sour our milk, our sauces, our fruit juices; 
they not only “ret” the flax when we wish them 
to, but they rot wood when we do not want them to; 
they make meat putrid and butter rancid; molds 
spoil our bread and jellies and clothes. All these things 
the dust-plants will do unless we prevent them, be¬ 
cause they are in the world to soften, to decompose, 
and thus to “get rid of what has ceased to live.” All 
such substances are food for them and feeding is their 
way of working. 
We must know how to prevent their work when it 
interferes with our interests. We must prevent their 
growth by removing conditions which are favorable or 
we must kill them. 
An experiment which anyone can try will suggest 
what favorable or unfavorable conditions are and in 
what way science seeks to help the housewife to pre¬ 
serve both her property and her health. 
63 
\ 
Life Work 
of Dust 
Plants 
