The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-10-19
asritultural.
II u LC n I N G

This process, althoush,known and prae-
tised for many years by a few cultivatOrs,
has become extensively adopted only at a
very late period. 1t seems peculiarly adapt.
ed to our hot and dry summers, and oper.
ates chiefly in preserving the moisture ol the
surface, and in preventing the growth oi
weeds. The moisture at the surface OF the
earth from rains and dews, is quickly dissi-
pated under hot sun and IL this surface is
allowed to become covered with dense
growth Of living grass and weeds, these
pump out of the soil and throw of into the
air much larger quantity Of moisture than
is evaporated by a bare surface OF earth on
v. Blu, if this surface is covered with a
few inckcs Of old straw, hay or leaves, the
moisture is retained in the soil, and the
growth Of weeds prevented. As q general
rule, we hare found it most advantageous
to leave the surface bare and keep the soil
we'll mellowed till near mid summer, and
then to apply the mulchng. For cover.
ing of litter, while it promotes the humidi-
ty, also prevents the heating CT the soil, and
in this way may retard early growth If ap'
piled too soon. There are exceptions how
evsr one in the case of large, deeply.rooted
trees not affected by, nor needing mulching,
and the other which are removed in summer
need tho careful and constant retention Of
the earth. We have succeeded, with scarce.
ly one failure in filty, in transplanting the
strawberry in drought and heat Of summer,
by simply giving the surface a mulchins Of
two inches Of barn manure, and on which
the watering was poured when necessary.
Indeed, there is nothing that better prevents
tho i'll effects Of baking by sariace watering,
than covering Of this sort Of moderate
depth. Mulching will, however, promote
moisture in the soil, even when neither ar
tifcial nor natural watering is given, simply
by arres,ing such as rises upwards through
the earth. In one instant q striking illus
tration Of this effect was furnished during a
very long season Of drought, which injured
and threatened to destroy a row Of newly
transplantcd apple trees. Their leaves had
already begun to turn yellow, and growth
had ceased, but on coating the ground about
them with crop Of mown weeds, a change
was soon Elected, and in three weeks the
leaves had returned to their deep green hue,
and in some instances growth had recon-
menced. But on no kind Of tree is mulch |
ing more necessary than on newly transplan.
ted cherry trees. Thousands Of these are
lost every season, after they have commen-
ced growing, by the drying heat Of mid
summer. and the evil is sometimes increased
by superficial watering a deep mulchinS
will generally prove complete remedy il
seascnably applied.
Some interesting facts on this subject
were stated, and valuable suggestions made
at one Of the conversational meetings Of the
Horticultural Society. S.
Walker remarked that he had used tan,
sawdust, litter, leaves, &C., but he believed
short, newly mown grass one Of the best
had mulched great deal with
it, and found il laid close to the soil. He
also recommended tn, succulent weeds OF
tho garden or roadside. He found tan and
sawdust to bo useful merely by retaining
the moisture. d. Haggerston had found
sedge from salt marshes best, particularly
if cut short, good watering upon it made
it lay close to the ground. He found it ex-
cellent for strawberries. He had also found
tree leaves excellent, if they had partly de-
cayed, so as not likely to bo blown away.
Old hot bed materials made Of leaves and
manure had proved particularly fine. Sever
al spoke Of the i'll effects Of too deep a
mulching, but we think the more common
error is in spreading the covering Of the soil
too thinly.
Mulching is very easy and cheap prac'
tiee. and the season Is now at hand when
our readers may prove by varying expert
ments the best mode Ofperiormance.- COun-
try Gentleman.