Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1885-06-05
Iulching Trees and Shrubs

y very noted English arb}rcu,tur-
ist says: .'Muiching consists in laying
"a circle Of litter around newly planted
trees to retain the natural humidity
.. tfe SOL. Inns IS ceTTl7n1T veTY
brief and incomplete description of
both the operation and the benefits to
be derived therefrom. 1t is, however,
about as much as has been claimed for
it by tree planters in this Country,4ud
for these and other reasons COMPARE
lively few persons think that mulch
ing trees is sufficiently beneficial to
pay for the cost of material and its ap-
plication. To say the material appIi-
ed as much is merely ''to retain the
natural humidity of the soil' is Ger
tainly claiming very little for one of
the most beneficial operations which
the tree planter can practice, especial
ly in all hot and naturally dry climates
or incne like that existing through
out the greater part Of the United
States.
In mulching newly planted trees, or
those set Tor some Years, We not only
prevent suffering for want Of moisture
during the dry weather in summer,
but enable~them to obtain those ele-
ments: which they require for nourish-
ment and growth. In selecting ma
terial for mulch, one of "a tibrous ma
ture, or at least one that will not be-
come compact and hard. after being
beaten some by heavy rains, is always
preferable to any other. The more
plant food the material contains, the
better, and for this reason coarse litter
from the stable or harvard has no SUI
perior for this purpose. Meadow hay
may be ranked next in value, then straw
corn stalks, bog hay from low lands,
thence downward in the scale to pine
or basewood, shavings or sawdust.-
Most any material that will shade the
surface of the sGil, and admit air and
wateEuGHi1 Innn6e.of great benefit to
newly planned trees, and frequently
restore to health the old and feeble, or
those stunted in growth from lack OF
moisture at the roots, aud those fertil.
izing elements, that can only be alb
sorbed and utilized when presented in
IA liquid or gaseous foEmm'-Eyen small
stones may answer:
upon any land Gpyt IT t does 'p not
readily sink, it run over the surface
dissoives anySoluble matter it may
meet ystth and carries it into the first
DD5fook or ditch" Thus it is that all
of our super soils are trying to clog
the great water power of the James,
We are all we'll acquainted with many
instances where the ''water line" lies
very near the surface, and know the
great difficulty experienced in obtain.
ing crops, in such cases. Who does
not possess one or more such places on
his land on which he has iavished an.
imal and artificial fertilizers in waste
full quantities? 1t is said that drain,
age removes stagnant and surplus wa
ter from the surface, lengthens the
working season, deepens the soil anC
equalizes the temperature of the same
during the growing season, warns the
undersoil, carries down soluble sub
stances to the roots Of the plants, pre-.
vents heaving out, injury from droutl
improves the quantity and quality o
crops, increases the effects of manure!
and prevents rust, mildew and rot :.
Should we not therefore consider the
question, Will drainage pay: