there was a classic book written by lady eve balfour balfour there was a classic book written by lady the soil association called the living soil that really made people sit up and think. lady eve was an independent—minded lady and she was interested in farming, one of the first women farmers. she was dear lovely. a bit frightening to begin with because she had short hair! short, grey hair and a rather husky, deep voice. she pointed out that it's obvious to anybody who looks at fertile soil that it's alive, it's a living thing really. well, it's got a mineral base of sand and grains of rock but this is all knit together with organic matter by microorganisms both plant and animal microorganisms which produce this substance called pumice which binds the soil together in crumbs. and this crumb structure is absolutely fundamental to the health of the soil. i was brought up with the saying, "a good farmer leaves the land "better than he found it." i never actually liked to call myself an organic farmer, i don't know, i like to be considered a good farmer. i love farming. that's why i've be