CAMPBELL'S SOIL CULTURE MANUAL 



249 



The dust blanket is also very objectionable in the 

 early spring, as a warranty deed or a patent from Uncle 

 Sam will not hold it when the strong March winds reach 

 after it. This difficulty, however, is not true in all the 

 semi-arid sections, especially on the Pacific Coast, but is 



A. B. 



Cut No. 23. Soil Mulch and Dust Blanket after rain- 

 Mulch, (b) Dnst Blanket. 



(a)Sofl 



very serious in other localities that are more subject to 

 high spring winds. 



The dust blanket is also objectionable wherever heavy 

 rains are liable to occur, more especially in sections where 

 the soils are of a very fine texture. The tendency of a 

 sudden heavy rain falling upon a dust blanket or mulch is 

 to dissolve and run the mulch together, leaving it very hard 

 and compact on the surface. If the sun can reach the sur- 

 face a very dense crust is quickly formed and if not worked 

 very quickly it will soon be so hard that the common har- 

 row or weeder will not touch it. 



