The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-07-22
Mulchlru and Drouth.
rapid

Il
the young plants against the direct ac-
ton of the Gun In dry seasons. But
while benefits may accrue from tho use
OF n mulch, there are also some disad-
vantagcs TO be considered. The uso of
| urAermontcd manure or matter that Is
| subject to decay encourages mlldew
and fungous growth, aB well Us serving
to protect Insects and Parasites. Yot
there are some plants that thrive best
when afforded q covering, and such
protection should be afforded. Ono OF
| the methods OF mulc,iing Is TO cover
! tho catlrc plant, removing tho cover
| ing early in the spring. Tho object OF n
mulch IN winter, however IN not to
keep out the cold from the plant, IA
no amount of covering can effect such
object. What Is desired is to prevent
sudden freezing and thawlng of the
| soil. which uphcaVes tie plants and
causes injury. A mulch should there
fore be applied around the roots OF
the plants only. allowing the plant to
receive all the air and light possible.
IL is claimed that during summer
mulching assists In retaining moisture
by preventing evaporation, and also
supplies moisture In dry seasons by
| capillary attraction of the soil, which
| gradually provides moisture at n time
when II rs most needed. There are
many conflicting opinions and theories
regarding the effects of mulching, al
though many of the difficulties may be
traced to the material used for the
purpose. Tho Massachusetts Hortlcul-
tural society claims that dry earth lg
the proper material To use, IL being
cheap and more easily applied If the
material used be manure the labor of
spreading and removing II is often
greater than the value of the crop. A
coating of manure two inches thick
upon one acre amounts TO 300 leads,
which will cost from $50 to $50 in labor
alone. and this sum Ia still further in
creased II the manure Is dwg 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.
II Is not necessary to mulch with
dry eartn by hiling or banking up
around the plants, but the earth should
be porous and kept loose. Dry earth Is
ar excellent non-conductor and holds
between its PARTICLES large quantities
of mir, which not only prevents the at
tacks of frost to certain extent, but
also retards loss OF moisture and heat.
Every rain, however, compacts the COW
er,ng of earth, forces out the air and
lessons the utility of the earth as n
mulch. To avoid this the farmer must
resort TO frequent cultivation or stir
ring Of the soil. II Is due to its SER
vice as a mulch that dry earth Is cap
able OF mitigating the effects of drouth
by being frequently loosened with tho
cultivator, and for n long time this
fact, In connection with cultivation
was not properly considered. The value
of cultivation is due TO the entrance
of the air into the soil, which Ia not
only n mulch but assists In Fastening
chemical action and the preparation Of
plant food while the constant working
OF the soil destroys weeds that would
deprive the growing plants of food and
moisture. Thorough ana frequent cul-
tivation is, therefore, the best mulch
for spring, summer and fall, which in
duces the roots to seek food In every
direction, thereby becoming more
numerous and deeply imbedded, as
well as going further beyond the pene-
tration of the cold in winter. In this
condition It is only in climates where
the cold Is severe that a covering Of
straw well be required. Such covering
should be removed rs carly in 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 a
thorough stirring of the soil will ad-
nit the air and afford protection in
winter.
Heat and air in the soil are essen
tial to plant growth. The air exerts an
influence in breaking down combina-
tions by supplying oxygen, while heat
hastens and promotes all chemical pro-
cesses. By proper drainage water is
compelled by its weight and other ma
tural influences due to gravity, to es-
cape by the nearest outlet. 1t is carried
off very rapidly. and 1t is impossible
for the water to again remain near the
surface after the land is once opened
by cultivation. AS the water In the
cold soil descends the air follows, and
the earth becomes dry, and conse-
quently more porous. The escape Of
the water causes a vacuum, which is
Immediately filled with air and
warmth Is carried wherever the air
enters. The soil. which before was
saturated with stagnant water, is now
rendered frlable, and the moisture
which reaches the plants is fresh from
the clouds. carrying oxygen and heat,
the roots going down into the subsoil
In search OF moisture during dry sea-
sons, which the drained and porous
coil retains. although the excess Is car
ried off. The air also enters from be-
low through the drain pipes, and now