The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-23
OUR FARM BUDGET.
Mulehing With Dry Earth---Regulatng the
Collar.
Management of the Churns, rs Advised
by the American Dairyman-
Household Hints and
Farm Notes.
MuIehing With Dry Earth.
philadelphia Record.l


Mulching the soil prevents rapid evapora-
ton OF moisture and protects young plants
against the direct action of the sun in dry
seasons. Bat while benefits may accrue
from the use of a mulch there are also some
disadvantages to be considered. The use OF
unfeI mented manure, or matter that is sub
ject to decay, encourages mildew and fungus
growth, as well as serving To protect insects
and parasites. Yet there are some plants
that thrive best when afforded a covering,
and such protection should be afforded. One
of the methods of mulching is to cover the
entire plant, removing the covering early in
the spring. The object, of a much in winter,
however, is not to keep out the cold from
the plant, as no amount of covering can
effect such object. What is desired is to pre-
vent sudden freezing and thawing of the soil
which upheaves the plants and causes in
Jury. 4 mulch should therefore he applied
around tine roots of the plants only, allowing
the plant to receive all the air and light pos
sible.
II is claimed that mulching assists in re-
tanning moisture by preventing evaporation
and also supplies moisture in dry sea-0ns by
capillary attraction of the soil, which grad
ually supplies moisture at a time when it is
most needed. There are many conflicting
opinions and theories regarding the effects of
mulching, although many of the difficulties
may be traced to the material used for the
purpose. The Massachusetts, Horticultural
Society has given the subject much atten-
ton, and the conclusion arrived at is that
dry earth Is the proper material to use, 1t
being cheap and more easily applied. If the
material used be manure the labor of spread
ing and removing it is often greater than the
value of the crop. A coating two inches
thick upon one acre, amounts TO 300 loads
which viii cost from so To $50 in labor alone
and this sum is still further increased if the
manure is dug into the soil, while cOarser
material, such as straw, leaves and cornstalks
must be applied and afterward entirely re-
moved in order to allow of cultivation.
1t is not necessary TO mulch with dry
earth by killing or banking up around the
plants, as the earth should be porous, and
kept loose. Dry earth is an excellent nom
conductor, and holds between its partiales a
large volume OF arr, thuc forming cushion
of earth and air, which not only prevents the
attack of frost to a certain extent, but re-
tards loss of moisture and heat. Every rain,
however. compacts the covering OF earth,
forces out the air, and lessons the utility of
the earth as a mulch. To avoid this the
farmer must resort to frequent cultivation
or stirring of the soil. 1t is due TO its service
as a mulch that dry earth is capable OF nit
igating the effects OF drought by being fire.
quently loosened with the cultivator, and
for long time this fact in connection with
cultivation was net properly considered; but
the value of cultivation is due to the en-
trance OF the air into the soil, which not only
is a mulch, but assists in fastening chemical
action and the preparation of plant food,
while the constant working of the soil de
strOys weeds that would deprive the growing
plants of food and moisture.
Thorough and frequent cultivation is
therefore the best mulch for spring, summer
and fall, which induces the roots to seek
food in every direction, thereby becoming
more numerous and deeply embedded, as
well as going further beyond the penetration
of the cold in winter. In this condition it is
only in climates where the cold is severe that
a covering of straw will be required. Such
covering should be removed as early in the
spring as the season will permit and the cul
tivatOr used, if the crop is such as to permit
of its use. Even in the fall thorough stir
ring of the soil will admit the air and afford
protection in winter