. Cyclopedia of American horticulture, comprising suggestions for cultivation of horticultural plants, descriptions of the species of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants sold in the United States and Canada, together with geographical and biographical sketches. Gardening. MULCHING MUSA 1037 soil and the air. This cartli-ruulcli may itsoll: be dust- dry, but it protects tlie soil beneath. There is more or less evaporation into the interstices of the earth-miilch itself, and some of the nlo^st^^ro ascends tlirout^h the mulch and escapes into the atmosphere; but it has been found b
. Cyclopedia of American horticulture, comprising suggestions for cultivation of horticultural plants, descriptions of the species of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants sold in the United States and Canada, together with geographical and biographical sketches. Gardening. MULCHING MUSA 1037 soil and the air. This cartli-ruulcli may itsoll: be dust- dry, but it protects tlie soil beneath. There is more or less evaporation into the interstices of the earth-miilch itself, and some of the nlo^st^^ro ascends tlirout^h the mulch and escapes into the atmosphere; but it has been found by loni^: experience and by experiments that the earth-mulch greatly lessens evaporation. The frequent stirring of the surface soil in sunnner is said to make the land moist; as a matter of fact, it keeps it moist. When it is impracticable to keep a surface mulch by means of tillage with horse tools or a rake, it is some- times advisable to use straw or manure. Mulching newly set trees is often desirable when it is not possible to till the land or not practicable to water them. The ideal mulch to conserve moisture, however, is the loose soil, since the stirring of the soil not only affords the mulch but also sets at work various chemical and bio- logical forces which make the plant-food more available. All herbaceous plants and most shrubs are benefitted by a mulch in the fall, no matter how hardy they may be in the given locality. Nature's mulch is the debris of fallen leaves, grass and other litter. The autumn leaves which blow into the borders and the clumps of shrub- bery, afford the very best winter mulch; and yet it is a common practice to scrupulously collect and burn these leaves in the fall, and then if the plants are mulched to apply manure. This is doubtful wisdom. The herbaceous border will be benefitted by a loose, open mulch, 0 to 10 inches deep. If the mulch is of such character as to become very hard and dense, and to hold too much water, it may be injurious. Lea
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