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Icnf^tli of our dry seasons, and the excessive severity of our 

 droughts. 



It would be difficult, perhaps impossible, to name any one thing 

 that would prove a perfect panacea for all these evils, and that 

 could cure them all by one and the same application. And yet, 

 we will venture to assert that the practice of thoroughly mulching 

 our trees will approach nearer to such a panacea, and will prove 

 more effectual in the removal of these difficulties than any thing 

 else that could be devised. As much as we ourselves have said, 

 as much as has been written in regard to the matter, we think the 

 subject is by no means exhausted, and that the various benefits of 

 mulching are but very little understood in regard to its action 

 upon fruit trees and fruits. 



1st. In regard to its effect upon the tillage of the soil. If the 

 farmer has little time and means to expend in enriching the ground 

 about his trees, let him cover the surface above their roots with 

 fresh mown grass or leaves — the best mulching — or with hay, 

 straAV, shavings, chips or sawdust, and he will find not only that 

 the moisture that contains the food of the tree will be preserved, 

 but that the earth is kept as light, as friable, and almost as pulver- 

 ulent, as though it was continually tilled. And when the mulching 

 has become sufficiently decayed, he can increase its beneficial effects 

 by turning it under, previous to applying new. A gentleman whom 

 I have long known as a very intelligent, skilful and highly suc- 

 cessful arboriculturist — I allude to Henry L. Penniman, Esq., of 

 Dedham — makes no other application than that of new mown 

 grass to his thrifty and productive trees. Nature herself m her 

 fresh green waving groves and gigantic forests often growing out 

 of the bed of decaying rocks, ahvays thus mulches and nourishes 

 her trees and keeps them flourishing and vigorous. This kind of 

 nourishment, though deficient doubtless in exhausted soils in cer- 

 tain necessary elements of growth, has the advantage of never 

 being injurious to trees by its overstimulating qualities, as is the 

 case sometimes with stable manure, superphosphate, guano, &c. 



2d. The protection afibrded to the roots of trees in winter by 

 mulching, is such as to prevent the violent action of heat and cold, 

 that so often proves fatal to the peach especially, and not infre- 

 quently, in high northern latitudes, to the quince and pear. In- 



