Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-08-11

ADVANTAGES OF MULCHING.

The advantages of mulching are not so
we'll understood % they should be. The
mulch, if applied sitter the ground is work
ed, while it is yet DIST, will be great help
in time of droutb by retaining whatever
moisture there may be. Watering the bare
ground, which irrigation is usually practiced,
is harmful, while where there is mulch
little water goes great way, as the mulch
prevents evaporation by guarding against the
heat of the sun. Many different materials
are used-sawdust, leaf mold, leaves them
selves, muck or peat, chat and straw. These
vegetable substances hold water we'll and fur
pish plant food az they decay. Afterward
they may be worked into the ground, which
they will loosen, aud where they still retain
their capacity for gater. The land is thus
manured and the s,il mechanically improved
Swamp cuttings applied green are good
They form good protection and decay rap,
idly. Several coats may be applied and
worked in during the season, keeping the
ground constantly fed and putting harsh
soil in the finest condition. Where the land
is quite poor manure mulch should be Civ
en- early in the season so as to favor the
growth at the start. Stable cleanings or
any long manure will do. Partly rotten
straw will make good mulch. Apply liber-
ally, that is, give thick coat, and let it ex.
tend we'll out, as the roots of the plants and
shrubs, and especially of trees, reach far. A
limited mulch, as one so often sees, affords but
little benefit, hence follows disappointment.
The mulch may be extended with benefit to
our hoed crops. With potatoes, this is prac-
ticed to some extent, and when properly done
with the best of success. The moisture and
GOODNESS which it secures are the elements de-
manded by the tuber. Cultivate as long as
the vines will allow, and then Immediately at
ter the last stirring 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 rotted, makes an ex
cellent 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, thus leav-
ing the land clean, thing that seldom occurs
in potato patch under the ordinary culture ;
there is rather an increase Of weeds, particu'
larly in size. This is 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 mellowness of the
soil, most admirably fitting the ground for
the succeeding crop. Then there is winter
mulching, also highly important and under
estimated. 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 case results from
exposure. A thick porous coat is sure REM
edy. 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 vegeta'
bic coverings worked in the spring, are prac-
tically good on clay soil, making mellow
surface, which serves in great part as a
mulch, with its vegetable material.-N T.
Herald.