The National tribune., 1882-05-27

MULCHING.-This is a term applied to
any loose material, such as strawy manure,
grass cuttings from lawns, or light refuse
matter Of any kind known not to be hurt
full to vegetation, which is thrown over the
roots of plants during summer for the pur-
pose of maintaining uniform degree Of
moisture in the soil by arresting surface
evaporation. This is its special distinction,
but it is also used to designate the applica-
ton of cover to the roots of plants with a
view of modifying tie effects of severe freez-
ing during winter. A loose material is en-
ployed because it contains air in repose,
which is one of the best non-conductors.
Bodies are said to be good or bad conductors
just as they are solid or porous. Iron is
better conductor than wood; granite stone
a better conductor than brick; hard-pressed
soil is better conductor than soil which is
loose and porous. A hard beaten path is
warmer in summer and colder in winter
than the cultivated ground alongside of it /;
its particles being in closer contact its con-
ducting powers are thereby increased; the
drying winds of summer passing over its
surface carries off the moisture which the
heat evaporates, and so far diminishes its
capacity to furnish moisture for the support
of vegetable grOwths. Mulching is valuable
auxiliary operation in the cultivation Of
plants in dry climates, and would undoubt-
edly be more generally practiced if its bene-
fetal effects were better understood.
When the surface of the soil is covered with
leaves, or such porous materials as those above
mentioned, we by this means secure stratum
of air in repose between the soil and the
atmospheric causes OF radiation and evspora-
ton; the moisture in the soil is therefore
retained to benefit the growing plants instead
of being exhausted in meeting the demands
of surface evaporation. While mulchins is
advantageous to any growing crop, it is
specially important in the case Of recently
planted trees; with these the preservation
of a uniform degree Of moisture in the soil
surrounding their roots is a great point
towards their successful growth; and, other
things being equal, they will languish or
flourish in proportion as this condition Of
uniform moisture is secured. Thousands Of
might have been saved by covering the soil
over their roots so as to prevent their decay
from an insufficient supply of water.
MulchIng can also be advantageously ap-
piled IN vegetable gardens. 1t will not su-
persede or render unnecessary the stirring
OF the SOIL among young plants of cabbases.
potatoes, peas, onions, and other crops: but
when the plants have become SO far advanced
as to be considered beyond the hoe and culti-
vatOr, mulching between the rows of such
viii add amazingly to their growth and size.
All who have once tried muIching in the
vegetable garden do not require further
promptings to repeat the practice.
1t is impracticable to succeed well in the
culture of the best raspberres in a dry
warm climate without thorough mulchinp
during the heat of summer, as it enables the
plants to continue their growth without in
terruption, and thus attain a proper degree
of maturity before winter frosts prevail
The strawberry crop will be largely in
creased by mulching the plants during sum
mer, which increases the number and value
of the flower buds formed 1T the end Of the
growing season from which the ensuing
crop of fruit proceeds. Indeed, mulcsing is
one of the cardinal points of routine culti-
walton in dry climates and in dry seasons in
any climate.