Life Is What We Make It, II

Life is What We Make It By Thomas L. Martin, Ph. D., Dept. of Agriculture, Brigham Young University II — Why Am I Happy? Why am I happy? Why am I glad that I am alive? These thoughts come to my mind very often, and while in that analyti- cal state some of the reasons force themselves to my attention. Investigation in any of the fields of science is in reality a study of nature. As one becomes acquainted with the various problems now calling for a solution in this phase of man's endeavor he becomes impressed with the bigness of nature and the littleness of man. The spiritual phase of man's "make-up" is touched to a very high degree and he is led to declare how wonderful nature manipulates its affairs and how plainly visible is the divinity behind the field of action. One example will make my point clear. I am impressed with the nature of the soil mass — that material which is thought by some to be inert, lifeless, uninviting matter. "Fill a flower pot with soft, dark earth and mold from the border of the wood, and carry it to the student of entomology and see if he can name one half of the living forms of this little kingdom of life; or hand it to the botanist, well trained in the lower orders of plants, and see how many of the living forms which these few handfuls of dirt contain he can classify. Present this miniature farm to the chemist and physicist and let them puzzle over it. Call in the farmer; ask him what plants will thrive best in it; or keep the soil warm and moist for a time, and have the gardener say of the tiny plants that appear as if by magic, which are good and which are bad. Mark what all these experts .have said. Call in the orchardist to tell you how to change dead, lifeless, despised earth into fruit; ask the physiologist to explain how sodden earth is transformed into nerve and brain." Suppose we try to imagine what a cubic yard of soil would look like if it were enlarged to the size of a city block. Sup- pose we should stand off to one side and observe. We would notice the rocks and minerals out of which the soil is com- posed. We would see the various movements of the soil water;

LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE IT 623 the swelling md shrinking of the gelatinous covering of the soil particles; the gaseous interchanges which are constantly occurring; the rope-like roots that are interwoven about the various rock particles, the constant sluffing off of the old root- caps and the formation of the new ones. All such evidences of activity we would find are essential to the growth of the plants. We would notice that these roots have a great amount of com- pany. Millions and millions of little bacteria, as many as nine hundred million to the pound of soil, follow in the paths of the roots. They remind one of a vast pack of wolves waiting to pounce upon their prey. They are hungry and must have bread and butter or starve. They are ready to grab at any- thing that looks like food. Just as soon as the root cap is sluffed off or the older root hairs cease to function, these organ- isms pounce upon this organic matter by the millions, devour- ing it and leaving in their wake a black, inert material and a large amount of gases useful for the various soil processes. If the root itself does not move as vigorously as it should; if it acts as if it is undecided where to go, or gives indications of suffocation because of a lack of air; or gets rather indiffer- ent to its job for any cause whatsoever, the bacteria very quickly set up a city in that vicinity and start to work tearing the root to pieces, and feasting upon its contents. There must be health in the roots or the bacteria make short work of them. They are avaricious little fellows. It is interesting to observe them. They are divided into little armies. Organization is even more complete than the proverbial German army. The first group, or the advance guard, attack the pieces of organic matter and lib- erate many of the organic compounds. So much carbon dioxide develops during this process that they practically suffocate, weaken, migrate to other parts of the soil, or die. In a short while the carbon dioxide diffuses throughout the soil atmos- phere. This leaves the region of the organic compounds fit for habitation. A new army of bacteria now marches to the conquest. They work upon the protein material, set free much ammonia, so much that this group finds it unpleasant and moves to new quarters. The presence of this ammonia becomes the signal for a third party and they hurry to the scene of the conflict. This group takes the ammonia and in forcing various chemical reactions, utilizes it and leaves in its stead some nitrite compounds. Immediately the power of smell or other stimuli causes the approach of a fourth group, and they, as if attracted by a magnet are quickly engaged in changing these nitrites into nitrates, the form of nitrogen, which are dissolved in the soil water, absorbed by the root hairs and utilized by the plant. The way these little bacteria organize themselves for the

624 IMPROVEMENT ERA work is truly marvelous. Their activity, the adjustment of the gaseous environments, the changes in the soil solution, the col- loidal or gluey material that is constantly being formed and destroyed as the needs of the plant dictate, are truly wonderful to observe. One is impressed with the idea that the plant fac- tory works "just right." It is one of the most ideally regu- lated pieces of nature known to man. Any other adjustment would not do the job half so well. What is the power behind all this order and system one must ask? It causes us to recall the experience of Job when Zophar reproved him for trying to justify himself for his righteous attitude in the midst of his afflictions. Zophar asked him, "Canst thou by searching find out God? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?" But Job answered him and said, "But I have understanding as well as you. I am not inferior to you. * * * But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee ; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee: * * * who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?" A realization of all this makes one happy. It is one method of creating happiness to study nature and become impressed with the Divine power that is behind it all. A study of nature is one of the means of bringing to man an acquaintance with the Divine and a mental attitude that makes one feel that he is glad to be alive. Life is what we make it. It is up to us. Provo, Utah Worry Not "Worry not! "Worry not! Worry not! Worry not! Don't you know that worry Would you gain the guerdon, Is a glum sure to come . Pray for hope, bravely cope When one's in a hurry? With your hardest burden: Take your time, Yesterday Upward climb, Passed away; Step by step keep going; So will pass tomorrow: Have no sorrow Never hurry For tomorrow — Fret or flurry, — Simply do your best! Simply do your best! Joseph Longking Totvnsend