CHAP. II VILLA GAEDEXIXG 401 



above theii- roots, moistened every twenty-four hours, are exposed 

 to fluctuations not favoiu-able to steady growth. I have seen 

 them exjjosed to this treatment, the leaves shrivelling with the 

 heat, and the edges all scorched and brown, arising from the 

 alternate drought and moisture, chills, and heats of sm-face-water- 

 ing. The best time to water Is in the evening, when the sim has 

 lost its i)ower. 



Mulching. — This term, as well as its object, is now pretty 

 generally understood. In dry summers 3 inches of manure or 

 Grass, or a loose surface of soil, conserves the natural moisture of 

 the groimd, and tends to keep the earth at an equal temperature. 

 It saves an immense amount of labom* in watering; indeed, 

 watering is but a sorry substitute for mulching. If Peas are 

 mulched 18 inches on each side the rows, the eai'th will be kept 

 cool ; and if it should be necessary to water, the moisture will 

 remain about the roots of the plants, instead of escaping into the 

 air again within a few hours of the time it was given. Mulching 

 the rows of Peas wiU do much to keep off that dire enemy, mildew, 

 liy preveutmg the check which leads to it. The spores of mildew 

 are doubtless always in existence. It is only when plants are in a 

 fit condition (arising from stagnation of some kind) for their re- 

 ception that they do real harm. Mulching of Lettuces and other 

 salad plants not only saves labour, but gives a freshness and crisp- 

 uess to the produce that cannot be obtained by any other means. 

 Mulching Black Currants, Raspberries, Strawberries, and nearly 

 all kinds of fruit is absolutely necessary to theii* welldoing. The 

 midching of wall trees, especially those on the south wall, saves a 

 deal of watering, or, at least, it would do if the trees were to 

 get their wants supplied, but in many cases I am sorry to 

 say they do not. This arises in some instances from lukewarm- 

 ness, in others from sheer carelessness. A midch over newlj-- 

 transplanted shrubs or trees is of great benefit — more so, in fact, 

 than anything else which can be done ; and it is very rare that 

 a plant well mulched dies through removal. Mulching is as im- 

 portant among flowers as it is with fruits and vegetables. A 

 good midch several inches thick over the most delicate Eoses, in- 

 cluding the Teas, will generally save the main roots, so that the 

 plants can start again, and a mulch of Cocoa-fibre over choice bulbs 

 in winter wiU be a great help. Often, in sheltering a plant whose 

 hardiness we are not quite sure about, a mulching round the crown 

 will save it. 



Shadixg. — Shade to a newly -transplanted and, consequently, 

 disrooted plant is of great value in mitigating the effect of a check 

 in the case of anv production such as Celery, where the application 



2d 



