230 



the yield was decidedly decreased by mulching. With transplanted 

 onions, beets, salsify, parsley, peas, and melons the labor required 

 and yield obtained were found to be about the same by either 

 method of culture. With cabbage, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, 

 potatoes, and sweet potatoes, very favorable results were secured by 

 mulching. The yields of each of these crops were considerably 

 increased by mulching and the labor required was considerably less 

 than in case of cultivation alone. Mulched cabbage produced larger 

 heads than cultivated cabbage, and there was less injury from rot. 

 The vigor of tomato plants was decreased by mulching, but the 

 yield of fruit increased. The fruit was also cleaner and less subject 

 to rot. Mulched cucumbers produced perfect fruits during dry 

 periods when the fruit from the cultivated plants was small and 

 imperfect. The quality of potatoes was not hurt by mulching 

 except in wet places. 



In a special test of a 4-inch and 8-inch straw mulch and early 

 and late mulching for potatoes a 4-inch mulch applied late in sum- 

 mer after several cultivations gave the best results. In the case of 

 eweet potatoes the vines did not take root through the straw mulch as 

 they do on cultivated ground, which was considered a decided ad- 

 vantage for mulching. 



On the whole this work seems to indicate that on the farm 

 where cultivation of the garden is likely to be neglected in mid- 

 summer, a mulch of straw can be used profitably as a substitute. 

 For the best results the mulch should not be applied until the 

 ground has become thoroughly warmed up and after two or three 

 cultivations have been given. The mulch may then be safely applied 

 to such vegetables as cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans, and 

 the garden left to take care of itself the rest of the season. 



The same plans were worked at the New Jersey stations. One 

 season it was found that mulching increased the yield of sound 

 fruits of eggplants 66.5 per cent and of tomatoes and peppers about 

 13 per cent each. The keeping quality of cucumbers also appeared to 

 be slightly benefited by the use of a mulch. The season following, 

 which was considerably more rainy, no advantage resulted from 

 mulching. In this experiment there was no noticeable difference 

 in the effectiveness of new salt hay, old hay, or excelsior as a mulch. 



Several of the experiment stations have carried out experiments 

 in mulching potatoes. The favorable results obtained in such ex- 

 periments in dry seasons at the Nebraska Station have already been 

 referred to. At the Michigan Station the following yields were 

 obtained: Mulched, 167 bushels of potatoes per acre; cultivated, 

 199 bushels per acre. With another variety the yield of mulched 

 potatoes was 252 bushels, and of cultivated, 385 bushels. The cost 

 of cultivation was less than the cost of mulching, and the profit in 

 both instances was in favor of cultivation. It should be stated, 

 however, that there was a large amount of rain during this season, 

 and that the straw used as a mulch contained a considerable amount 

 of grain, which came up on the mulched plats, both of which con- 

 ditions were unfavorable to mulching. 



