The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-05-14
The Farm,
FARM MISCELLANY.
Mulching.

farmer. Seldom a year passes without
some of the farmers crops being mater.
tally shortened, and sometimes rendered
almost valueless, for the want Of suffic-
lent moisture to perfect their develop
ment, and the most abundant crops, if
they could be supplied with water just
when in the most need Of it, would al
ways be largely increased, This fact is
verified by comparing the crop grown
on irrigated land in rainless climate
with similar ones grown in our climate.
The yield OF such land and the quality
of the products, both being far superior
to those grown in a rainy climate, or
where the clouds are depended upon for
the supply Of moisture for We 5etaJion.
SCIENTISTS TELLU
that nine. tenths Of the rainfall which is
absorbed by the earth, is evaporated by
the suns rays; and comparatively but
small portion of the entire rainfall of
the year pcnetrates the soil. The great
err part Of the water flowing over the
surface, during heavy showers, or pro-
tracted rains, finds its way 10 the streams
directly and is soon returned to the
nearest large bodies Of water.
Our meteorological conditions are
tending more and more in thi, direc-
ton, steadily. Weather statistics prove
this, as the forests are swept away by
the woodman's axe, and the sod is brok.
en- and the bare soil exposed to the suns
rays in the cultivation of crops.
There is no lack of rainfall to supply
every need OF the farmer, with abund-
ant surplus to spare, but how shall we
manage to garner sufficient quantity
of this wasting moisture, which like
great viewless ocean is flowing upwards
from the earth, drawn by the suns at
tracing power, into the higher and
cooler regions of the atmosphere to form
clouds, again to be poured upon the
earth? 10 protect the soil from the
fierce rays of the summer sun, by shad-
ing and covering it is the only hope.
This is
NATURES PLAN
to reclaim the waste places. If neces.
sary she commences with the MOSES on
the rocks, and, although it may require
the work of centuries, if her work is
unmolested, she finally completes it in Il
grand. magnificent forest.
AS far as in his power, man must copy
nature in his work of outstanding mois.
ture, for the use Of plant life, and the
renovation Of the Soil on which he is an
nually making such heavy drafts. Mulch
ing the soil is one Of the surest modes of
producing good crops; and where this
practice can be applied properly, it will
seldom fail. If the exact quantity of
moisture can be supplied, just when
needed by the growing crop, very thin
soil will, as every farmer knows from
experience, produce very fair crop.
And where the ground can be covered
with anything that will
SHADE AND protect
it from the influence of the scorching
rays of the summer sun, moisture will
be retained, the soil change from its
pale, sickly hue, to fat, dark loomy
color, and vegetation will soon cover it
with dense green mass, in healthful
contrast to the hungry meager growth
on the baked and bare surface. 1t is not
possible to mulch all growing crops,
with our present facilities at least, but
all root crops will admit of this method
of cultivation, and might in dry seasons,
thus be doubled in quantity and much
improved in quality. If an abundant
crop of anything can be raised, the quail
ity is invariably superior; while stunt
ed growth is sure to impart an inferior
favor.
The potato crop, one of the most val
liable when it can be produced in full
measure, has no enemy so serious as the
summer drouh. That crop, like all
other root crops requires
A COOL, MOIST SOIL,
and if mulched heavily between the
rows with partially rotted straw, hay,
leaves or long coarse litter from the
stables, moist, cool bed for its great
est development is secured, regardless
of heat or drouth, which prevails in
midsummer. And so with beets, tur-
nips, mangles parsnips and all root
crops, which are so important to sue
cessful agriculture in the moist cool eli
mate of the British Isles, but which
Dlay so insignificant a part in our mid