BEACH SAND AS A MULCH. 1G3 



least expense and with perfect safety to health is a matter of great importance. 

 The common method in the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San 

 Diego, is to resort to irrigation. A little water applied artificially may be nec- 

 essary in some districts, but the too free use of water for irrigation is not only 

 expensive but also decidedly unhealthful as irrigation is now practiced in this 

 country. A far better method is the free use of sand as mulch, and then a 

 moderate use of water where the soil and climate are excessively dry. Some 

 years since, after a thorough practical test, we recommended ordinary beach 

 sand as the best kind of mulch for trees, shrubs, and vines. After noting all 

 experiments made with other materials, and the common use of a sprinkler, 

 without applying a mulch, we are fully persuaded that there is no method for 

 retaining the moisture in the earth about the roots of trees and vines which at 

 all approaches the use of common beach sand. It costs little ; it lasts forever ; 

 it is not in the way when the rain falls ; it is not unsightly ; it is cleaner than 

 the soil itself ; it saves all the water put around the tree, and is the best known 

 agent in storing moisture by capillary attraction. It commends itself to every 

 one who wishes to secure a vigorous and healthy growth, without care and ex- 

 pense, of every kind of trees and vines. If our farmers and fruit-raisers 

 generally would employ sand as mulch, the benefit to the country could not 

 well be over-estimated." 



The San Luis Obispo Tribune, in commenting on the remarks of Mr. John- 

 son, says: "That sand does possess the merits claimed for it in the above 

 article, we have no doubt, and upon our recommendation, Geo. W. Mauk, Esq., 

 applied it in large quantities around his lemon, orange, and other choice orna- 

 mental trees and shrubs in his grounds. Upon frequent examinations, we have 

 found the soil to retain moisture better than with any other mulch, and besides, 

 it attracts and concentrates the sun's rays, thus imparting a degree of heat that 

 stimulates the growth beyond the natural capabilities of the soil. It does more 

 than this, even, the garnered heat slowly escapes during the cool hours of the 

 night, thereby preventing frosts. These are qualities that should induce a 

 liberal use of sand when accessible." 



The value of sand for mulch, as compared with long, coarse manure, or par- 

 tially rotted straw or chips, will be seen, by contrast : 



1. Where sand is abundant it is very cheap, only costing transportation. 



2. It is clean, aud prevents rather than encourages the growth of surface 

 weeds. 



3. It is not a protection or harbor to insect, as ordinary mulches are. 



4. Consequently it is not liable to be disturbed by poultry, as chips or barn- 

 yard manure is. 



5. It is a permanent mulch, and will require but little attention besides an 

 occasional raking after a crust has been formed by sunshine following immedi- 

 ately after a shower. 



There are other uses besides mulching in which clean sand is valuable to the 

 horticulturist. Knox uses it extensively, and recommends it very highly in straw- 

 berry culture. ' Its use in propagating houses is well known to practical men. 



It is not necessary to go to the lake or seashore in order to obtain pure beach 

 sand. The subsoil for five or six miles east of the present beach of Lake Mich- 

 igan is composed of beach sand having in the ages of the past evidently been 

 washed by the restless waves of the great lake, — waves that continue to recede 

 as they throw up sand banks and bars that in time bid defiance to their 

 encroachments. 



