The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-04-02
UTILITY OF MULCHING.
An Indifferent Substitute for Thorough
FILLING of the Soil.

An Indifferent Substitute for Thorough
Filling of the Soil.
Careful investigation of the condition
and mechanical effect of heat and soil
upon moisture will develop the fact
that, except when the rains are re-
plenishing the earth, moisture is con-
tinually ascending in the soil by the
process of capillary attraction, and is
absorbed at the surface by the air with
which it comes in contact. In a well
cultivated field not more than from one
eighth to One-tenth of the rain that
falls upon the soil finally passes off by
percolatiOn; the remainder is drawn to
the surface and evapOrated by the pro-
cess described. Any thing that breaks
up the uniform continuity of the text
ure of the soil, by which atom after
atom of water is brought to the sur
face, will accomplish the first step in
retaining the natural moisture of the
soil within it.
Now, mulching does not do this at
all; it only checks or mOderates the
approach of the atmosphere to the
mOistened surface of the soil, and,
therefore, retards evaporation to that
extent; but the reason why there is
always so much moisture beneath the
mulch is because the capillary action
of the soil keeps on pumping up the
water faster than it can evaporate.
The natural tendency of earthly mat
ter to thus raise water is not generally
appreciated, but can be readily seen
when so dry and porous material as
coal ashes is deposited upon a slightly
damp surface. Although the heap be
quite large, yet in a short time / have
observed the dampness to have pene-
trated through the entire mass from be-
low.
Any thing that is a good conductor
of heat, and is of loose texture, applied
to the surface of the ground, retards
the movement of the air and prevents
absorption. Spent tan bark meets this
requirement better than any other ma
terial that can be applied to the land.
1t is light and porous, and therefore re-
tains a cushion of confined air, which
is one of the best nOn-cOnductOrs in
nature. The gentle showers which sim
ply mOisten the earth pass through it
readily, as do the heavier rains, which
are absorbed by it and largely retained,
Dry son is an excellent nOn-cOnduc-
tor, made dOubly so by being loosened
and pulverized and thus intermingled
with air. This is precisely the condi-
ton of the soil after a thorough cult
walton. When thus rendered fine and
light the surface becomes truly a cushion
of air and dry earth, the continuity of
the insensible process of connection of
the water of the soil is broken, the
point at which the upward passage of
the soil ceases, is removed to the depth
of the cultivation, the free access of
the air to the continuously moist sur
face is hindered and you have accom-
plished all of the beneficial effects of
mulching in a cheaper, more intelli-
gent and scientific manner.
There are times when mulching
around newly planted trees, or with
some small fruits, may be satisfactory,
but generally mulching is an indiffer-
ent substitute for tilling the soil, and
an industrious man with the rake or
cultivatOr will obtain more satisfactory
results by their diligent use.-Tke
Household.