LOCATION AND PREPARATION 



tecting it from the sun's absorbing rays but also 

 greatly reduce the actual temperature of the bed. 



In July and August the ground temperature of 

 beds covered with this mulch is from five to six 

 degrees lower than adjacent beds. Later, when the 

 average ground temperature is below seventy, there 

 is little if any difference. In addition to this it 

 prevents some seeds of weeds from germinating, so 

 that this cover practically eliminates constant weed- 

 ing. It also gives the beds a neat and most attrac- 

 tive appearance. The best tune to put on this peat 

 moss is as yet an undecided point, but we are inclined 

 to recommend placing the moss on the beds after 

 the frost is well out of the ground and before the 

 days become very warm. Undoubtedly after this 

 year, in which we shall try covering different beds at 

 different times, this new operation will be better 

 understood. 



This peat moss may be secured from any nursery, 

 and it should be ground fine by a machine, then 

 sprinkled with water before it is placed on the beds, 

 to keep it from blowing about. By putting on a six- 

 inch blanket you will secure the depth required of 

 from three to four inches. 



In order to avoid breaking the rose canes the 

 safest way to pack the moss properly into place is 

 to trample on it carefully. It will be found that the 



85 



