From: nospam@127.0.0.1   
      
   IMHO one of the biggest blows to the concept was went it was discovered   
   that the chemical composition of Martian soil sampled at one of the   
   lander sites (I forget which) showed that the soil contains poisonous   
   compounds that would either prevent plant growth or cause grown plants   
   to become inedible. Therefore either soils will have to be transported   
   from Earth or food grown hydroponically. I suppose one could hold up   
   hope that with an extensive surface exploration program, maybe one might   
   find a spot on Mars that is otherwise. Seems unlikely from where we   
   stand today.   
      
   Dave   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)