32 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



a round half-bushel of the pests by hand-picking, the3-ear that the 

 mulch was tried but few bugs were found in that part of the vine- 

 yard, while in the other the}' were as thick as ever. The cunning 

 insects seemed to appreciate the fact that this covering of the 

 earth made a very unfavorable place of hibernation for their young, 

 and discreetly avoided it. But here, as elsewhere, the tendency 

 of the mulching was observed to be to encourage a rank growth of 

 surface roots. 



By the use of dry leaves, sawdust, and spent tan, cultivators 

 have been able to maintain a moist condition of the surface of the 

 soil, but all have noted that an abundant growth of fibrous roots 

 was stimulated near to the surface. The immediate result of the 

 application seemed to be all that could be desired, and to include 

 all of the elements of success ; but subsequent and repeated obser- 

 vations, accompanied by thoughtful reflection upon the functions 

 of soil and vegetation, together with persistent efforts to reach the 

 desired result by other means, have caused me seriously to doubt 

 the value of mulching as a system to counteract the effects of 

 drouth, except with newly transplanted trees, or to facilitate the 

 germination of the nuts of most forest trees, and certain other 

 seeds. 



General experience has shown pretty clearlj' that substances 

 which quickl}- decay are not to be preferred for this purpose ; thus 

 straw has proved to be more satisfactory than hay or rowen ; pine- 

 needles than the leaves of deciduous trees, and spent tan than saw- 

 dust. 



There is no gainsaying the repeated experience that any or all 

 of these materials will check evaporation, and thus contiibute to 

 the retention of moisture, but are we entirely certain of the as- 

 sumed fact, that this end cannot be better attained in some other 

 way, or that moisture is the sole or chief requisite for successful 

 cultivation 'i 



It is certain that, as a general condition of success, warmth is 

 not less necessary than moisture. Any covering of the earth, 

 although it may, by its non-conducting qualities purely-, prevent 

 evaporation, will nevertheless as surely prevent the absorption of 

 heat by the soil, although, of course, obstructing radiation of heat 

 previously' acquired. 



The warmth which stimulates vegetation in these latitudes comes 

 from without, and by absorption. It is also inevitable that a cov- 

 ering which screens the surface of the earth from the action of the 



