CHAPTER VIIL 



MULCHING AND WATERING. 



Mulching consists in placing around the tree to the 

 distance of three or four feet a coating a few inches 

 deep of rotten leaves, straw, half decomposed manure, 

 or other such substance that will retain moisture. It 

 is an excellent protection against summer drought, and 

 should be a universal practice in our hot, dry climate. 

 Many trees that die during summer could be saved by 

 mulching. A good time to apply it is in spring, when 

 growth has started, soon after a rain. 



If trees are well mulched, they will not need much 

 watering, but in very dry seasons newly set trees should 

 have occasional copious waterings in addition to the 

 mulch. Do not let a valuable young tree die from want 

 of a little attention in this way. 



