58 The Gaeden. 



might often be thus saved would repay a hundred-fold the 

 labor and care bestowed in this way. 



IX.— MULCHING. 



Mulching is placing mulch ot moist litter of various kinds 

 upon the surface of the soil over the roots of trees, shrubs, and 

 herbaceous plants. Its uses are the retention of moisture, the 

 prevention of injury by frost, and the promotion of an equable 

 temperature. Strawberries thinly mulched, the crown being 

 uncovered, are rendered more productive and continue longer 

 in bearing, especially in hot, dry climates. Newly planted 

 fruit-trees are often greatly benefited by mulching. 



X.— DESTEOTING INSECTS. 



The foes against which the gardener is forced to wage a per- 

 petual war of extermination, though individually insignificant, 

 are in the aggregate most formidable. We will try to give a 

 few useful hints of a general character to aid the reader in this 

 warfare. 



Sowing a garden with salt, at the rate of six or eight bushels 

 to the acre, will cause many insects to disappear. It should 

 be done in the autumn. Digging the soil in the winter, and 

 thus exposing it to the frost, will destroy many grubs, etc. 

 "Wide-mouthed bottles, partly filled with molasses and water, 

 and hung up in a garden, make excellent traps for the moths, 

 which are the parents of many destructive vermin, Mr. 

 Downing mentions an acquaintance who thus caught and de- 

 stroyed in a single season three bushels of insects, and preserved 

 his garden almost free from them. A bright fire of resinous 

 pine, tar, shavings, or any other combustible, kindled in the 

 garden at night, on a platform erected for the purpose, will 

 attract and destroy millions. Birds are among the best friends 

 of the gardener, and should by no means be destroyed, 

 although some of them may eat a few raspberries or cherries. 

 Toads live almost entirely upon insects, and do no harm in a 

 garden. Induce as many of them as possible to make it their 



