"Mark Preston" > wrote in message =
om...

> ... Somewhere it said that when the "proper" micro-organisms have =
died,
> what's left is a flavoring agent, but not a fermenter. Also, another
> micro-organism "takes over" in place of the preferred ones ...

Sounds pretty hopeless. Well, for those who may not know it already,
here are some pretty sure ways to beat the rap:

1. Get a live culture as an active dough.

2. Get a very freshly prepared dried start free.

3. Get a mail-order start with a good reputation for freshness.

For instance:

1. =
http://ww2.kingarthurflour.com/cgibi...7368580910617=
735

2. http://www.carlsfriends.org

3. Search for SDSYEAST at http://www.yankeeharvest.com/

Also 4. You may be able to catch a good culture from the environment, or =
from
some whole-grain organic flour, or grapes, or other stuff, if you are =
lucky.
For instance, see =
http://www.nyx.net/~dgreenw/howcanis...terfromsc.html