The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-04-24
AAoEN AND HOUSEHOLD.


70 all VINO are following the pursuit OF
even if their laboTs are con-
fined to but small lot of land. In
word, If only few shrubs or bushes are
to be planted out in a village lot, small
garden to be kept as a source from which
TO produce the vegetables and small
fruits necessary for family consumption,
or farm of large or small dimensions
to be cultivated in varied crops, mulch
ing ls an operation of great practical
value. In our brief treatment OF this
subject we will mention in the outset
the objects to be attained by mulching,
which are twofold, viz: To preserve n
uniform degree of moisture in the soil
during summer, and protect the roots of
plants from severe frosts during win
ter. These conditions are obviously i'm
portant to vegetation, and they can be
very efficiently secured by covering the
surface with a stratum of porous mater
ials, such as tan bark, charcoal dust,
leaves or strawy manure, which will pre-
vent the surface soil from becoming COM
pact or hard, and, at the same time,
assist in maintaining a uniformity in its
mechanical texture favorable to the re-
tention of moisture. Air is the best non-
anu DOulG6 dIt represented hN
good or bad conductors, just as they are
solid or porous. Iron is q better con-
ductor than wood, granite stone better
conductor than brick, hard pressed soil
is better conductor than soil that is
loose and porous. A hard trodden path
is warmer in summer and colder in win
ter than the cultivated ground alongside
of it. When the soil particles are in
pressed contact, the condition is favor
able to rapid conduction. Summer winds
passing over such surface carry off the
moisture which the heat evaporates, the
surface is speedily parched dry, and
vegetation languishes. When the sur
face is covered with a mulch of such
porous materials as those enumerated, it
in effect secures stratum of air in re-
pose between the soil and the causes of
radiation and evaporation. In the case
of recently planted trees, the preserva-
tion of a uniform degree of moisture in
the soil surrounding their roots is great
point toward their successful growth;
and, other things being equal, they will
languish or flourish in proportion as this
condition of uniform moisture is secure.
Although mulching is very simple
OROA0OAOhg JNb oO1lOub 1OboCb nave OCCllI-
red from its misapplication. 1t is often
the case that trees are destroyed from
too heavy an application of mulching
material, such as grass, manure and tan
bark. Before applying the mulch to
recently planted tree, if in spring, shape
the soil around it in basin form, extend
ing the rim beyond the extremities of
the roots; by this confguration of sur
face rains will be retained, and if requir-
ed, artificial waterings can be applied to
best advantage. With reference to fall
planting, the process should be reversed,
and slight mound formed toward the
stem of the plant, so as to throw off the
heavy rains of water. OF course such
mound should be removed before the
following summer.
AS already remarked, the principal
use OF winter mulching is to prevent
frost from reaching the roots. The best
material for this purpose is undoubtedly
charcoal dust. When manure is used,
1T should not be thrown close up to the
stem of the plant, otherwise it might
prove harbor for ground mice, which
In rough ground or under a coarse cover
ing are sometimes very destructive by
eating the bark of young trees. When
they are troublesome the precaution
should be taken to trample firmly over
the roots and around the stem after
heavy SHOWS, and keep the surface clean
and compact.
In order to be effectual, it is not neces-
sary that summer mulchings should be
heavy. When sawdust, tanbark or char
coal dust is used, a layer of three inches
in depth will be quite sufficient. Grass
cut from lawns is very suitable, but 9
mere sprinkling only should be applied
at time. Thick coatings promote fun.
gold growths, which frequently destroy
trees. Fruit or ornamental trees that
have been transplanted will rarely be
much benefited by mulching after the
first years growth.
The advantages of mulching to grow,
ing vegetables are equally important
Cabbages, potatoes, peas, onions and
other crops will thus be enabled to main,
tain growth during the dryest weather
This covering is not intended to super
sede stirring the soil, but when the plants
become so far advanced in growth as tC
be beyond the hoe and plough, mulch
ing may be applied, and those who give
II fair trial on their crops in dry sea,
son viii not require further prompting
to repeat the practice. Let those who
heretofore, have not practiced mulching
give it fair trial, and experince foI
themselves the. great benefits to.be de
rived from its proper and iudicious ap
plication.
Farm Notes.
Cabbage furnishes a good article o
diet for poultry.
If you have sick fruit tree, dig it VI
and plant good one in its place.
Thorough drainage, plenty of stabl,
manure, with a heavy top-dressing O
coal ashes, will be found good treatmen
for soils of a close, heavy texture.
A writer in MOOre's Rural has nevel
known butter-milk, "poured on during
warm doua m foil 20 oY1va a yoir, &c Il