The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-06-19
HOUSEHOLD AND FARM.


The advantages of mulching are not so well
understood as they should be. The mulch if
applied after the ground Is worked, while 1t is
yet moist, will be a great help IN time of drouth
by retaining whatever moisture there may be.
Watering the bare ground, which Is the man.
ner in which irrigation is usually practlced, is
harmful, while where there IS mulch little
water goes great ways, as the mulch prevents
evaporation by guarding against the excessive
sun heat Many different materials are used
--sawdust, leaf mold, leaves themselves, muck
or peat, chat and straw. These vegetable
substances hold water well, and furnish plant
food as they decay. Alterward they may be
worked into the ground, which they well loos.
en-, and where they still retain their capacity
for water. The land is thus MANFRED and the
soil mechanically improved. Swamp cuttings
or weeds applied green are good. They form
a good projection and decay rapidly. Several
coats may be applied and worked in during
the season, keeping the ground contantly fed
and putting harsh soil in the finest Condi-
ton. Where the land is quite poor manure
mulch should be given. This early in the sea.
son as to favor the growth at the start. Stable
cleaning or any long manure Will do. Partly
rotten straw will make good mulch. Apply
literally, that Is, give thick coat, and let it
extend well out as the roots Of plants and
shrubs, and especially of trees, tar. a limited
mulch as one SO often sees, affords but little
benefit and often disappointment. The mulch
may be extended with benefit to our hoed
crops. With potatoes, this is practiced to
some extent, and when properly done with the
best of success. The moisture and GOODNESS
which it secures are the elements demanded by
the tuber. Cultivate as long as the haulm will
allow, and then Immediately after the last stir
ring of the ground, when the surface is yet
moist, apply the mulch. The task will be less
difficult than we are apt to suppose. Straw,
partly rotcd makes an excellent mulch; and
so will cut weeds and coarse grass applied
green. Weeds seldom make their appearance
through good mulch. The few that do may
be pulled up, leaving the ground clean, IA thing
that seldom occurs In potato patch Under the
ordinary culture; there is rather an increase of
weeds, particularly III size. This prevented
by the mulch and the substance of the weeds
retained in the soil, or taken up by the tuber.
There is also the fertility resulting from the
decay Of the mulch, and the increased mellO
ness of the soil, most admirably fitting the
gound for the succeeding crop. Then there Is
winter mulchlng, also highly important and
underestimate. 1t affords protection against
the frost, especially in shallow and exposed
soil where the roots lie near the surface.
Much harm to the roots in such cases results
from exposure. A thick porous coat is sure
remedy. Leaf mold, obtained in the woods,
is one Of the very best coverings. If the soil
lacks fertility, coarse or long manure may be
substituted with advantage. These vegetable
coverings worked in the spring, are parlcu-,
larly good on clay soil, making a mellow sur
face, which serves in great part as mulch,
with its vegetable materially y. Herad