a precis of
the introductory chapter of ' an agricultural testament' by
sir albert howard the father
of organic farming - send money (...only
joking!) he is
suggesting we learn from the forest plants PLUS
animals- a gentle accumulation of vegetable and animal
wastes convert by fungi and bacteria into humus
soil is
protected from the direct action of sun, rain, and
wind well-marked
crumb structure and a network of drainage and
aeration channels by earthworms and other burrowing animals
ample
humus for the direct absorption of moisture any run-off
is clear water no soil
erosion streams and
rivers are perennial because of the vast quantity of
water in slow transit between the rainstorms and the sea
little or
no drought no waste
anywhere mineral
matter from the subsoil carried by the transpiration
current for use in the green leaves humus provides
the organic manure: the soil the mineral matter soil always
carries a large fertility reserve to store the rainfall
no hand to
mouth existence about Nature's farming no vaccines
and serums for the protection of live stock live
and let live could you and
your farm live like that!