Soil

[Fr., from E. solum, ground.] Earth in which plants grow. Soil consists of a mixture of earthy materials resulting from the disintegration of the rocks by natural agencies, and a deposit of organic matter arising from the growth and decay of vegetation on the earth’s surface. The influ¬ ence of earth-worms, ants, and other small crea¬ tures on the condition of the soil has lately been shown to be considerable.