The Portland daily press., 1875-08-09

This subject, which is gaining additional
prominence every year, owes much of its un-
popularity to the abuse of its application. I
have in my minds eye an instance that il.
Illustrates the damage done the system, simply
by employing workmen who were not con.
versant with the principles involved. What
could ever induce rational being to cover
the surfars of arorchard two feet deep with
straw, is more than the majority of fruit
growers could possibly guess, and yet such
was the fact OF course it injured the trees,
soured the soil, and made capital home for
all manner of injurious insects, besides whole
villages of mice. The advantages to be de-
rived from the use of mulching material may
be summed up somewhat as follows: First,
the desire to keep the soil moderately moist
and cool. Secondly, to prevent the surface
from baking hard through the combined in
fiuences of the rays of the sun and the high
winds, Thirdly, as preventive from weeds.
For newly planted trees all of these are ne
cessities; the mulch preserves the surface
moist and cool, and this is precisely the con-
dition under which young fibres are formed.
1t keeps the soil open and porous, another
sine qua non for the formation and growth
of young roots. That it smothers out the
numerous weeds that would invariably start
was the surface not protected, is self-eyi-
dent fact.
For three or four seasons past we in the
middle States have suffered terribly from the
severity of the drouths, and had it not been
for the beneficial effects of mulching, in
many instances the losses would have been
frightful. ParadoXical as it may appear,
water applied as we will does not answer the
purpose altogether. We need something
more. Shade is absolutely essential, together
with an equabe temperature. Nature sets
us all example in this respect in the fall of
snow. 1t is not SO much the moisture con-
tanned in the covering that falls so lightly and
covers up our plants so evenly; not at all.
1t is the adequate protection afforded the
roots, that no matter how severe the succeed
ing weather may be, these are preserved cool
and Interchangeable so long as the snow shall
last. l know not of more beautiful illus
tration in horticulture than this lesson that
nature vouchsafes to teach us.
The material that should compose our
mulch differs with the plants to be protected,
as well as with the season when it is applied.
We may rest satisfied, however, that all green
or unfermented substances are deleterious in
their nature, and not unfrequently do more
harm than good. We occasionally hear of
instances, however, where such have been
used with good effect, as for example the use
OF turnip-tops for mulching strawberry beds;
still the principle is bad and should be discour-
decomposition is very injurious to plant life,
when placed in Immediate juxtaposition
Herewith. 1t calls into active life innumer-
able forms of fungoid structure, many of
which are the forerunners of disease, and all
are deleterious in the effect upon the health
of the higher orders of vegetation. 1t forms
proper hot-bed for the propagation and dis
semination of millions of insects, the greater
portion of which damage the roots and bark
of our trees and plants. And, lastly, it i'm
parts sour and saddened character to the
soil beneath, which must effect the well-being
of the plant.
What are the best materials to be used is
not so easily answered, although there are
some things like spent tan-bark that really
seems adapted to almost all manner of plants.
The healthiest pear trees / ever saw were
kept constantly mulched with good thick
coat of this, land each Autumn slight sprink-
ling of well rOtted manure was scattered over
the surface. Tan-bark is applicable to most
kinds of growing plants from the largest Or
chard trees to the strawberry beds in the gar
den; Straw, not too long, and pliable, cannot
well be eXceed. 1t is clean, and affords
pleasant shade devoid of any deleterious eff
fects. Hay do not;like, unless very coarse,
and green grass kills more than it cures. Ma
nure should never be used in fresh state, al
though such is occasionally resorted to
around large trees.
Plants in pots, that is the ordinary varie-
ties usually grown for this purpose, including
roses, are greatly benefited by slight mulch
Of old hot-bed manure. And conifers, too,
show the effect of this fertilizing covering by
an increased color and more vigorous
growth. Bright straw is after all the best
covering for Winter vegetables, such as spin
ach, lettuce, cabbage, etc. Leaves are excel
lent for most things. but NOT around vouno
evergreens. have seen whole beds of these
entirely destroyed by the compact mat which
leaves form by Spring, and this preventing
free circulation Of air, kills the plant in many
instances. The subject may be summed up
in few words. After planting, most forms
of vegetable growth are benefited by mulch
ing; during dry seasons everything enjoys it
tosa moderate extent. The number of trees
and plants that have been saved by the pro-
cess is beyond our calculation, then why not
apply the remedy more extensively ?-Josiah
Homer in Nom YOrE Ty;h7ysoo