34 THANSAOTTONS OF THE TLLINOTS 



Mulching, which we have inchided under this subdivision of orchard 

 culture, appears to be considered by horticulturists as an important item 

 in' this branch of operations. I confess I am at a loss in attempting to 

 give a general statement in regard to its uses in reference to insects, as it 

 sometimes forms a harbor for your insect enemies, thus enabling them to 

 continue their labors, whereas without it they may not be able to do so : 

 while on the other hand it often affords a retreat for your little friends, 

 and thus proves advantageous. 



It is, in fact, one of those orchard operations which depends to a 

 great degree, so far as insects are concerned, upon circumstances, and 

 the method adopted, in order to be the best, must be determined by an 

 examination of the surroundings of the base of the trees late in the fall. 

 And in order to do this properly, the orchardist must be able to distin- 

 guish his insect enemies from his little friends. If the latter are more 

 abundant than the former, this will indicate that he should leave them 

 undisturbed, and add such protection as may be needed ; if his enemies 

 predominate, he must take steps to destroy them at once, remove the sub- 

 stance around his trees, and put other mulching there, or add lime or 

 ashes, or some other substance which is likely to be obnoxious to them. 



If injurious insects which pass the winter in the perfect state have 

 been abundant, then- mulching should be delayed until as late a period as 

 possible, and should have some obnoxious substance mixed with it. 



It is therefore scarcely possible to give any general plan, but I will 

 suggest a plan which I am inclined to think would be generally bene- 

 ficial where the examination above suggested — which is always best — 

 can not be made ; but I wish you to understand it is only given as an 

 opinion, and may prove ineffectual or incompatible with the healthy 

 growth of the trees. 



In the fall, after the fruit has been gathered, let every thing be care- 

 fully cleared away from beneath the tree, and the soil to the extent of its 

 branches stirred to the depth of a few inches and exposed to a few frosts, 

 one or two at least, then let it be smoothed with the harrow or by draw- 

 ing something over it. Immediately around the base of the tree apply a 

 mulch containing more or less leached ashes or slaked lime. This will 

 have a tendency to destroy the root plant-lice around the base of the 

 trunk, and will render it less apt to be used as a harbor. If any covering 

 is applied outside of this, leaves should be used wherever they can con- 

 veniently be obtained, but as a general rule it is best not to use the leaves 

 from the orchard. If a few boards are laid upon the ground under the 

 trees, they will form a good harbor for the predaceous ground-beetles 

 which are fond of such situations ; these could also be examined by those 

 who know how to distinguish friends from foes, and the injurious species 

 found under them destroyed ; in fact, it is advantageous to have boards 

 thus placed through the year, if care is taken to examine them occasion- 

 ally and destroy the noxious species. 



I see that Mr. Muhlman, in an address to the Alton Horticultural 

 Society, states that he has made this use of boards in his orchard, by 



