206 HOW TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY 



drainage can never be omitted, and this is a very 

 simple matter after all. Use up the stone that lies 

 about much of your land, and where this cannot be 

 had, tiling is a good substitute. Use four inch tile 

 at least, for small tile is liable to cost more in the 

 end than it saves. 



We have already found that adding humus to the 

 soil equalizes the moisture ; that is, it holds the water 

 that belongs there and will not let it be evaporated 

 too rapidly. They have a way in very dry parts 

 of the country of getting along without rain, by 

 constant tillage. Instead of adopting or trying to 

 adopt a system of irrigation, the plow is run all 

 the season. The surface soil is kept loose and por- 

 ous, so that it will absorb moisture rather than let it 

 free. This is the only cure for drought, where a 

 system of irrigation is impossible. It is a good plan 

 anyway, for it keeps the weeds down, as well as holds 

 the moisture in. 



In other articles I have spoken of mulching, and 

 this is exactly what we are doing in keeping the sur- 

 face soil stirred, we are keeping a sort of blanket all 

 over the earth. The same effect, or better, is ac- 

 complished by the mulch that you place around your 

 trees ; it holds the moisture in with the roots and 

 positively prevents drying out. Work the mulch 

 principle for all it is worth, and I assure you you will 

 have good trees and good plants. 



But mulching, as we are using the word here, is 

 something more ; it is covering a whole field with lit- 



