Fed and cared for, it increases. Processes of decay are the multiplication of soil life. These processes initiate or commence in the presence of moisture, air and heat. All three are necessary. Pounding and pulverising, turning and slicing implements have all interfered with and reduced pore space in fertile soil.
Fertile soil is loose, absorbent and pleasant smelling.
It is dark in colour caused by decay in the production of humus. It receives rain quickly and allows it to penetrate deeply. It holds moisture in pore spaces which are found in and around every particle of decaying material and in humus as well as around the mineral particles of the soil. Moisture dries out of fertile soil slowly from the effect of the highly insulating structure of its surface. There is no sharply defined plant root zone in natural fertile soil.