[With a subject line like that, who will be able to resist?] In her book "Gardening and Beyond", Florence Bellis discussed the question of compost and microbial life in the soil. She suggested that compost is best used when only partially decomposed, so it will support the growthin the soil of fungi, bacteria, and other small fry. Many of these little life forms lend disease resistance to plants grown in conjunction with them via secretion and uptake of antibiotic substances. Jim's experiment with Iris histrio aintabensis is interesting because the usual version of Truth is that many Middle Eastern bulbs do not relish organic soil. Clearly that particular version of Truth needs to be revised! -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island http://maps.google.ca/maps/…