Ann

Most text books treat soil as if it is dead. Defined as silt, loam and clay
and rocks. Where have you seen it defined as having an enormous amount of
living organisms? I only know of one source. Its great that you pointed
out that soil is alive as well as daed. A duality of living and dead both.
Just as wood is alive and dead.


--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.

"Ann" wrote in message
...
The Winter 2007-2008 issue of Organic Gardening (a ghost of what it
used to be, unfortunately) has a blurb titled "Soil Makes You Happy":

Quote
Proof that dirty fingers lead to clean minds.
Findings: A common soil bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae, is an
effective vaccine for leprosy. Researches began to evaluate its value
in treating asthma, tuberculosis, and cancer. When cancer patients
treated with M. vaccae reported feeling inexplicably happier,
neuroscientist Christopher Lowry, PhD., of the U.K.'s University of
Bristol injected mice with the bacterium, then examined their brains.
The mice's immune systems were stimulated, causing brain cells to
release serotonin, a mood-altering, pleasure-inducing hormone. Our
Advice: Dig in! Be happy!
--
Ann, gardening in Zone 6a
South of Boston, Massachusetts
e-mail address is not checked
******************************